NATURAL CAUSES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 18, 31 May 1939, Page 4

NATURAL CAUSES

death of matata PENSIONER INQUEST ON MONDAY A verdict that death was due '-o natural causes was returned by Mr (1. A. Brabant, district coroner when he held the inquest a.t the WhaUatane Courthouse on Monday after, noon into the death of George Chichester Smyth Peacock, aged <>8 years, old age pensioner, who was found dead in his cottage at Matata on Saturday morning. IDENTIFICATION Evidence of identification was given by Arthur Cummings, Matata, who said lie last saw Peacock alive in his cottage before noon on Friday. He had asked Pcacock if he could act as gatekepcer at the football match next day and deceased had said he might be able to toddle along and do it. He did not then complain, of any particular illness. William Sherriff, carrier, of Matata, said Peacock had enjoyed good health until the past six months or so when his health began tp fail. Pea_ cock was a hard drinker. VOMITED BLOOD Witness last saw Peacock alive on Wednesday when he helped witness to load a sack of potatoes on to a truck. He then started to vomit blood. He took Peacock to Nurse and she thought he would be all right £>s the bleeding had diminished. Witness saw Peacock at about 6.30 p.m. Avhen he took him a billy of soup. Peacock was then lying on the verandah of his cottage on his bedding. He seemed all right. He had had a few drinks. Witness called at deceased's house on Saturday at about 1.30 p.m. He found him dead on the floor with a good deal of blood on the blankets. RESULT OF POST MORTEM Robert Ren ton Grigar, medical practitioner, said he performed a post mortem on deceased. In his opinion death was due to haemorrhage of the stomach, to which deceased was liable owing to cirrhosis of the liver.' Evidence, was also given by Frederick .Fuller, police constable, who detailed the condition of deceased's room and the position of the body. There Aj' cre 150 s i£ n s °f violence. There were no valuables in the house.