The Late R.H. Ualligan

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1923, Page 2

The Late R.H. Ualligan

INQFESTCONCLUDED

The coroner’s inquest touching the death of the late H. H. Halligau was concluded yesterday afternoon at the Police Station, Hokitika. John T. Roberts deposed that lie know Halligau and saw him on the morning ol the 28th December on the (I,lav and they had a few minutes conversation. His condition was normal and there was nothing about Mulligan's demeanour to excite suspicion. He was ordinarily a quiet man and reserved in bis conversation. It came ns a great surprise to read of Mulligan's death. , Maude Margaret Halligau, wife of deceased, stated she had been married 1,,„r years. There were lour children born.' Her husband was latterly an attendant at the Mental Hospital. Previously they had resided at Ross, lie was addicted to drink at intervals, and ii prohibition olaier was taken out in .1,,,,,, last. His manner was quiet always, ami he made no threats in any way. He kept clear of the drink Dll last month. He bad Ids leave then. ()„ Christmas afternoon he came home tbi' worse of drink, but generally be laid conducted himself well. He ol ten complained of headaches. Witness IVIt her husband was suffering from tlio effect of the war. during which lie was gassed, and the subsequent coach accident, which caused him to spend live months in the Reefton hospital ;;s a result of injuries to Ids head. They '|,ad not had any disagreement at home, and there was nothing said to , excite suspicion. He was at the races ! Boxing Buy and the day following. He slept "it home both nights. Ihe i second day lie returned the worse ol liquor and very wet. That day "as ' the finish of his leave from work. He 1 was to si-art the next morning at b. 3" ! o’clock, lie left home five minutes : late, and returned shortly alter, stai- ■ j„„ he had met one of the attendants on" file hill. After returning hotne lie l went out for a drink and returned | shortly again, lie played a while w.tn | the children, of whom he was very fond. Later lie was sitting down with his head on Ids hands, and after a while he said he would go to the institution and report, and come hack when breakfast was ready. His head was verv bad he said. It was about 7.|.-, o’clock when be left home. He did not return. Witness thought he had resumed duty and did not worry about his absence. When be did not ,'cturii at night, enquiry elicited the information that he bad not been to th t , Mental Hospital that day at all. ||c mentioned on Tliiirsihn he had won sum of money at the races, but enquiry subsequently did not confirm the statemein. Only on one occasion previously had deceased visited the Arahura district, at a time, when searchi„,r for a mission patient. His gen-

..n'.l health was good. His war pensi,,,, was about io expire. He was "boarded” in November, but the pension was not to be renewed. He was „m worried about money matters. His at times was attributed to war experiences and alter effects of the coach accident, lie was not: a regular sleeper. His age was 3fi years, and he was a native of Victoria. He had a distin"uished war service, holding the GallipT.li Star, and being awarded the military medal, the meritorious service medal and the distinguished conduct medal. The last medal was presented personally by King George. Sergeant King, recalled, gave evidence as to ihe clothing of the body when found, and stated the piece ot rope used had been taken from the County tool sited nearby. The body had been found on January sth as the result of the coat and hat of deceased being noticed on a side track that afternoon. But on December 31st, the coai and hat had been seen by a settler passing by, but was not .reported. as it was not thought anything was amiss. The witness estimated deceased was dead about a week when found. The Coroner expressed his sympathy with the bereaved wife and relatives, and thanked Mrs Halligau lor the clear manner in which, her evidence had been

given. The verdict of the court was that death resulted on or about December 2Sth by hanging caused while the i i,„ was of unbalanced mind following a recurrence of head troubles resulting from the combined effects oi war '■eiviees and a coach accident when his head was seriously injured.