MYSTERIOUS DEATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1539, 22 August 1905, Page 2

MYSTERIOUS DEATH.

STRANGE STATEMENT.

i(Pec P*esa Association.}. Auokland, lost night. At about 1 o’olook on Saturday morning an old man named James Poulton, kept a boarding-house known as Por Villa, Welleßley street West, died suadenly. In eonneetion with his death ° rayeieriouß allegations have been maae, the effoot that death was the result o murderous attaok by two mysterio strangers who visited the house just besor his death. Poulton, who was 74 years or ago, had suffered from paralysis, and ; not in good health. Dr Murphy, who naa medioally attended the deceased, was called in after death, and would have given a certificate to the effect that tbs cause of death was paralysis, but in view of the allegations mode be has not given a oertifioate. A post mortem examination has -been ordered by the Coroner, and an inquest will be held; The allegations mads are to the effect that two men visited the house abont . a.ml on Saturday, and gained admittance that a soufSo was heard and blows were Btruok, followed by a moan. Immediately afterwarde, aeoording to the story, the two men left the house, and tho old man Poulton was discovered in a dying condition, passing away a few. minutes later. This statement, made by a boarder in the houßt>, is, however, flatly contradicted by other inmates of the place. Mrs MoPiko says she had been residing in the house about two months. About 1 o’clock on Saturday morning, when all in the house had retired, she heard a kdook at tho front door, and a boy residing with his parents, Mr and Mrs Posselthwaite, m the eanao house, opened the door, and two men walked in. She heard the men ask the boy and bis mother, who had also gone to the passage, for Mr Poulton, and then Mrs Primrose, the housekeeper, who spoke to the men, told them to leave the house. The men refused to leave. Mrs MoPike states she heard Pouiton’s voice B^' n ß' " You would BBrike me, would you. Don t strike me." Then she heard blows struck, after which there was a fall and a loud moan.- She also says she heard what she describes as a death rattle. She looked out from her bedroom window, and saw the formß of two men, whom she had seen in the early party of the evening, and could identify, as they went down the short pathway to the gate. She heard one of them say, "Ithink we have done for the old hurried round to Poulton’s room, and found Mrs Primrose already there. _ Mrs Primrose said, " I think he has fainted." Mrs McPike felt his pulse, and found the old man dead. She immediately called assistance, and the police were sent for. The housekeeper, Mrs Primrose, states that deceased was about 74 years of age. | She beard him oali “ Annie, get me some • water.” She procured water, and went ' into his room, giving him a drink, bathing his temples, and stayed with him probably to between 1 and 2 on Saturday morning. He then declared he was going to die. Shortly after he did die. She sent for a dootor, but none oame. Then Dr Murphy came later on in tho morning* Deceased had been under Dr Murphy’s care for abont twelve mopths for paralysis, having had two strokes. Deceased was seized with another stroke just before his death. Mrs Primrose gave a flat denial to Mrs MePike’s story. She states no two men entered Poulton’s room, and no blows were struok.

THE MYSTERY DEEPENS.

SENSATIONAL EVIDENOE,

■(Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night.

The circumstances surrounding the death of James Ponlton at bis residence in Wellesley street were enquired into by the Coroner to-day, and the evidenoe oertainly added to the mystery of the affair, and was also of sueh a sensational character as in the opinion of the Coroner to jnstify further and moot exhaustive enquiries. Dr Girdler, whu made the poßi mortem, Baid there was nothing in the appearance of the body to indicate font play. The canse of death was failure of an enlarged and fatty heart, acclerated by congestion of the longs and kidneys. It was quite possible in the. condition of the man's heart for a mental shock to hasten death, A blow or a fail would do it.

Dr Murphy, who bad attended.deeeased for paralysis and heart trouble, said deceased was on the verge of death at any moment. -r

Mrs Charlotte MoPike, who boarded at deceased's house, stated that she was .! aroused from sleep by a knock at her window. She saw two.men outside, who asked for rooms. She refused to admit them. Poulton subsequently went to the door, but the .men were gone. ' Later on two men appeared. She recognised their voices as those of the previous visitors. Poulton went out and asked what thoy were doing . there at that time of the night. They refused to go, and Poulton said he would, put them out. Witness heard them' walking into Poulton’s room. They seemed to be pushing Poulton in front of them. Witness did not see any struggle, but could hear it all plainly. She heard some swearing, and Poulton said, “ What, you would strike me, would you ? ” One man then went outside, and the other said, 11 Take that, you old ." Witness heard a blow and Poulton fail. Poulton never spoke after that. She then saw the two men standing outside. One, whose voioe she beard for the first time, said, 11 Did you settlo him ? ” The other replied, “ 1 think I have done for the old —Those in the house, with the exception of deceased, had been drinking. The inquest was adjourned till Monday, to allow the police to make farther (inquiries. 1