DEATH OF MR. O’SULLIVAN

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2238, 15 November 1907, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. O’SULLIVAN

THE INQUEST,

VERDICT OF “NATURAL CAUSES.”

Afc the Courthouse yesterday, afternoon a coronial inquiry was held before Mr. F. W. Riach, ActingrCorouer, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Denis O’lSullivan. The following jury was ompannelled :—Wm. Webb (foreman), F. McLean, Tlios. Abberton, Arthur Lauron son, Henry Haines, and Francis Osborne. , , , Mr. Stock appeared on behalf of the Government Life Insurance Department, for which deceased worker prior to his death.. Mr. A. Coleman watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr. F. J. O’Sullivan. Dr. David Morrison gave evidence that ho had made a post-mortem examination that morning of the body at the Morgue. He had concentrated his examination towards finding any marks of violence or indicate ions of unnatural death, blit found nothing, ffho skull showed no signs of a blow, and there was nothing in the stomach to indicate the taking of poison. The heart and lungs ho found in a state of semi-decomposit-ion. The deceased’s heart was fatty. So far as he could say death resulted .from an enlarged fatty heart. The examination was hardly so complete as it might have been had the body not been so far decomposed, but he felt safe in his opinion that doath was entirely due to natural causes. To Mr. Coleman: Over-exertion would bo very likely to cause the death of deceased. Walking up a hill would be sufficient to over-exert him.

Dr. Reginald Overton, Inspecting Medical Officer to the Government Lifo Insurance Department, stated that he liad seen the body at the Morgue, and recognised it as that ol Mr. O’Sullivan. Deceased was associated with witness in insurance work in tlio district. {lad been in the district since July. Last saw alivo on the morning of November sth. Witness and ho were chatting in the commercial room of the Gisborne hotel He was in good spirits. Had had deceased under his care for some weeks and as a result knew that he suffered from a heart trouble. Saw deceased between 9 and 9.30 a.m. on November sth. After chatting for some time deceased -left the hotel. It liad been suggested that they should go out together, but such was not done. After the lapse of a few days became anxious and instituted inquiries. His health and spirits were such as would point to suicide being out of tho question. Deceased was always of a cheery disposition. At no time had witness had any quarrei with deceased. As far as witness knew deceased had no enemies in the town. So far as he knew deceased books were in good order, and he was not financially troubled. On the Wednesday after he last saw deceased lie liad not gone in a spring trail to look for deceased. They often did not see each other for many days at a stretch. Deceased had a habit of climbing hills, and was fond of walking in the country. It was not right, as the sergeant alleged had been suggested, that deceased had given witness a black eye. The suggestion was pure nonsense. He got his discolored eye as the result of a tumble. To a juryman: Deceased was a temperate man as regards intoxicants. Had never said that deceased had said that he might as well commit suicide as not.

Mr. Stock stated that the Department had authorised him to say that deceased’s accounts were in every way satisfactory. Thomas Hennessy, soil of W. J. Hennessy, stated that at about 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday he was riding over the hills on his father’s property. He came to some manuka scrub, which he intended to ride through, but looking in he saw the body of a man. As soon as he saw it he informed his father. A long time ago had found some bananas and cakes in the clump of scrub, and once since liad found an old. liat there. In looking into the scrub had no particular object. The body was lying just on a rise, about half a mile from the liouso. The body was not far from the edge of the scrub, but was quite hidden to view. There was no track near the point. Witness was riding through the scrub in search of cows. Did not examine the body. William McCredie gave evidence that he saw deceased alive about 9.30 o’clock on the morning of November stli, he being then at the junction of the Riverside road and Clifford street. Spoke to deceased, and he appeared in a cheerful mood. Deceased was coming from town. He said he had been told that there was a fine walk along the Riverside road, and on witness stating that lie sometimes walked over the hills to get a good view of the town deceased said ho would probably go that way himself. Deceased then went towards the Riverside road, and witness never saw him again. To a juryman: Was sure lie saw deceased at 9.30 a.m. To Mr. Coleman: Had been in the habit of lunching at the Gisborne hotel at the same table as deceased, and liis manner on November sth was just the same as usual..

Michael Doylo said he had seen, tlio body at the Morgue, and identified it as that of Mr. O’Sullivan, who had lived at tlio house of witness’s mothor.. Deceased, was of a cheerful disposition, and so far as witness could' tell was thoroughly, healthy. Last saw deceased alive. about midday on November 3rd. Deceased did not sleep at homo on the following Monday. To his knowledge' this was the first occasion on which deceased had not slept at home. Knew of no reason 1 why deceased should seek to take his own life. Constable Irwin stated that under instructions from tho Sergeant he proceeded on tlio previous evening to Whataupo'ko. In company with Mr. Hennessy found a dead body underneath J some dead manuka scrub in ■a paddock leased by Mr. Hennessy. ’Took particular notice of tho position oi the body. The legs were crossed, and it appeared as though deceased had been in a sitting position and had fallen hack. Made a careful search of the surroundings tho previous evening and that morning, hut could find nothing to indicate suicide. Tho body was very much decomposed. Deceased’s dress was sligbly disarranged.

To jurymen: The place could he of no interest to deceased as •'Tar as scenery was concerned. Rough country had to.be covered to get to it. On the body\were found a watch and chain, a sovereign case, some insurance papers, and a couplo of keys. Thomas Leslie gave evidence that he saw deceased alive on between 2 and 2.15 p.in. on November sth in Clifford street. Merely exchanged the ordinary civilities with deceased and passed on. Deceased appeared to be quite cheerful. Had known deceased intimately for many years bofore lie came to' Gisborne. To the foreman: Deceased was proceeding away from tlio town when witness saw him.

Frank J. OlSulliyan gave evidence that liis father .previously resided ' with him in AA’ellington. Early in July last lie came to Gisborne to take up the agency of the Government Life Insurance Department. Had never had an ilhiess while in AA’ellington, but in New Plymouth about two years ago had had a severe attack of typhoid fever and pneumonia, which had weakened him ever since. Deceased bail complained of a valvular affection of the heart, and he was occasionally subject to attacks of giddiness. AVas always of a cheerful disposition, and never showed signs of liability to commit suicide. Deceased never talked of committing suicide, and bis financial position was good. AVas in a better financial position than he had been for about eight years before. On November 3rd lie wrote to liis wife in a cheerful vein, and did not state that ho had. any quarrels with anybody in the town,

He was aged about 68, and was a native of Richmond. 1 , At this stage Dr’. Overtort asked that Mr. Martin, licensee of tho Gisborne hotel, bo put in tho witness-box to state what he know of his (the doctor’s) discolored eye. In answer to questions by Dr. Overtoil, Mr. Martin testified that the injury was received in an accident last Wednesday quite unconnected with the present enquiry. After a retirement of about a quarter of an hour the jury returned the following verdict:—“Thereis no evidence of tho actual cause of death, but the jury are of opinion that tho deceased came by liis death as suggested by tho testimony'of Dr. Morrison, and according to tho medical evidence our verdict is that deceased died from natural causes.”