GAS-POISONING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 10

GAS-POISONING.

DEATH OF WATERSIDER. ' WIFE'S STRANGE STORY. j THOUGHT HE WAS DRUNK. With a length of gas tubing in the mouth, the body of Mr. Alfred James , Barker was found in the kitchen of his home in. Surrey Street, Grey Lynn, on Saturday evening. Mrs. Barker, who had been out with the children, made the discovery. Mr. Barker was a watersider, and he had been out of work for some weeks with an injury to the hand. The corojor, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., held an inquest qn the body this morning. Evidence was gifen by Mrs. Barker that on Saturday night she left her husband's tea ready, and went to a euchre party with her daughter, aged 15, and a son aged 11 years. They returned home about 10.45 p.m., when she found her husband on the floor of the kitchen with a- gas tube in his mouth. His head was wrapped in a cloth. At the time she did not think her.husband was dead, as she had seen him like, that before. When he was drunk he at times slept in the kitchen. She did not think it necessary to notify the police. Her husband had been put'of work for five weeks with an injured hand. He had previously threatened to shoot himself. She went with her children and waited at the front gate until Mr. Walters, who' occupied a room at the back of the house, came hime. When Mr. Walters arrived she said, "I think he has gassed himself," but Mr. Walters said, '1 think he is in a drunken sleep." They then retired to their respective bedrooms. Witness did not undress, but just lay on her bed. She got up at 2 a.m. and went to look at her husband, who was still in the same position. At 4 a.m. as her husband had liot moved she called Mr. Walters, who then went for the police. Corroborative evidence was given by the daughter. She also said she had on a previous occasion heard her father say he would gas himself. ■ Herbert Walters said he had a room in the house where the Barkers lived. Deceased was addicted to drink, and latterly had seemed moody. On Saturday night, when witness came ■ home, Mrs. Barker and her children were waiting at the gate. He went, into the kitchen, where he saw Barker on the floor with a table cloth round his head. Witness did not think Barker was dead. Although Barker's hands' were cold witness did not advise calling in a doctor. Mrs. Barker knocked him up at 4 a.m., and as soon as he saw Barker was sbill in the same position he went for the police. Mr. Hunt returned a verdict of "suicidu by gas poisoning." He added, "She circumstances are peculiar, but no doubt they acted boria fide." •