Peculiar Death.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1921, Page 2

Peculiar Death.

POISONED BY ALCOHOL. «, IfLEGBAPH— I'RESS ASSN., COPVBIGHT. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov 28. At the adjourned inquest on the death of P. H. Goodsir, secretary of the lYoolston Tanneries, who was found dead in His office on November 12th the medical evidence was'to the effect that death was due to heart failure, resulting tirom an irritant poison, and accelerated by a diseased condition of the heart. In the doctors’ opinion, the irritant poison was alcohol. Ihe Government Analyst’s.report stated that the condition *of the stomach; and the stomach contents were consistent with deceased having drunk a large quantity of strong whisky. The pmounts of .alcohol recovered were larger than he had ever previously found. C. M. Olliver, managing director of the company, in the course of his evidence. said that the was an absolutely temperate man. The witness could -not identify the handwritings of an anonymous letter found on the body, the text of which was: -.“You would do well to watch the office during the next few nights. Remember, the balance is not yet finished. A secretary is blamed for many things when the heaijp are away. This is not bluff, just a caution from a conversation overbeard. It is worth while heeding and watching. Be on your guard, and. keep your own counsel. In good faith. -- —Christchurch, Oct. 25th. 1921. A verdict was returned that death was due to alcoholic poisoning, accelerated by the diseased condition of the heart.