The Late Mr G. R. Lucas.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 269, 21 March 1894, Page 2

The Late Mr G. R. Lucas.

♦- THE INQUEST. As announced in yesterday's issue of the Star, Mr G. R. Lucas, a wellknown settler in the Pohangina district, dropped dead whilst in the act of dipping sheep on Mr Colby's farm yesterday morning. An inquest was held this afternoon at the private residence of Mr Colby, near Colyton, hefore James Linton, Esq., Coronor, and a jury, viz — Messrs A. Peddie (foreman), (J. Allerby, F. Allerby, D. Bel!, E. G. Knight and E^Coxa^rnll. ■" W. H. Lucas, a son of deceased's who was 59 years of age last birthday, gave evidence that his father, with himself and three brothers, were dipping sheep in Mr Colby's dip yesterdaj morning; they commenced dipping very shortly after 9 o'clock and after having dipped 100 thej p were getting in a fresh lot, his father was leaning over the race fence holding a decoy sheep in the race leading to the dip ; this was at about a quarter to ten ; suddenly missed his father and on looking for hijp found him lying ou his back gasping ; his father was a strong healthy man but lately had complained of being short-winded. F. W. Lucas gave corroborative evidence. J. H. O. Colby deposed : Tho fence over which deceased was leaning was about three feet high and no doubt the exertion at times was excessive. Dr Johnston, who was called in to examine deceased, had made a post mortem examination ; had found all the organs healthy with the exception of the lungs, which, at the time of death, were highly congested ; the cause of death was latent pneumonia ; the position he was iv while leaning over the race would have boen sufficient reason to cause stoppage of the heart while the lungs were in the state as mentioned. Constable Tuohy also gave evidence. The jury returned the following verdict : " That the deceased, George Robert Lucas, met with his death through latent pneumouia."

I In another column it is notified by Mi 1 F. Popp, undertaker, that the funeral will take place to-morrow. Tho cortege will leave the late residence of the deceased, at Pohangina, in the morning, at nine o'clock, for the Pilmerston cemetery.