AN INQUEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1927, Page 1

AN INQUEST.

Ail inquest was held this morning at the Magistrate’s Court beloro Mr A. E. Benjamin, J.P., Acting-Coroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs D. Toomey (foreman), E. W. Hetman, V . J. Aiulrewes and H. Stapley, touching the death of James Henry Shand. cycle-dealer and repairer, of lievell St., who was found dead in his shop yesterday afternoon. Sergeant King led evidence as follows:—Edney Aleourt lleonan gave evidence that lie knew the deceased, James Henry Shawl, who was a cycle mechanic, with a shop next door to liis mother, lievell Street. Last saw him alive at 10 a.m. yesterday. Ho appeared in his usual health. About 1.15 ii.in. to 1.30 p.m. smelt escaping gas and traced it to the cycle shop. Both front and back doors were locked. Looked through the coloured glass window of the back door and saw somebody on the floor of the workship alongside the work bench with, the feet pointing towards the door. Called William Cochrane and burst ill the door and saw deceased lying on the floor. Noticed the gas tap was turned on and turned it off. Then went and reported tho , matter to the police. Gordon Francis Rich, medical practitioner deposed he was called to deceased’s shop yesterday about 2 p.m. Found deceased on the floor. He was dead when he got there. Artificial respiration had been -started and was continued and other means of resuscitation were used without success. The cause of death was asphyxia due to gas poisoning. The body was quite warm. He had died recently, an hour at the outside. William Cochrane, a bootmaker employed by Mrs Hoenan deposed lie was next door to deceased’s shop. When witness came back from dinner yesterday after 1 p.m. smelt gas escaping and eventually traced it to the cycle shop. Both hack and front doors were securely fastened. Knocked at the hack door, but got no response. Peered through the coloured glass of the door and made out a dark shape on the floor. Then forced the door open. Deceased was lying on the floor hall on his side with a gas tube on his mouth. He was lying on some wrapping paper laid out on tlho floor alongside the work- bench. There was a strong smell of gas in. the room. He pulled deceased away from the tube and sent

II ecu an for the doctor. There was no movement in the body or sign oi life. William Lindsay Sliand deposed he was a. brother of the deceased James Htonry Sliand. Last saw him alive yesterday at 12.5 p.m. at the shop. He seemed ill the best of spirits and discussed business matters staling he was going into South Westland on a business t-rip. He told witness lie would bo late home for lunch, about 1.30 p.m. but lie did not go home for lunch. He never at any time suggested that he would take his life. The Ixkl.v was that of his brother who was 35 years of age, was a married man withjio children, his wife residing in Christchurch. To witness’ knowledge deceased had no financial difficulties that would cause him to take his life. His brother appeared to he in his usual good health yesterday. Scrgt. C. J. King gave evidence that he knew deceased. At 2 p.m. yesterday received an urgent call. On arrival at deceased’s shop found deceased on the broad of his back in the woik room. There was a distinct smell of gas in the room. Felt tho body and found no movement. Artificial respiration was performed but there was no response. Efforts at resuscitation had been performed for about five minutes till tbe doctor arrived when it was continued on without result. Dr Rich pronounced that life was extinct. Removed the body to the morgue. On searching the body found the key of tbe front door in tbe pocket, 22s 2d in ; money, but no letters. A search was : made in the shop but it failed to locate nnv communication from deceased m : explanation of his reason for Ins act. \ There were no marks of violence to K : seen on the body. : Tlie jury returned a verdict tlnd ; James Henry Sliand came to his deatl t (nl January 24th, 1927, at his shop n 5 Re veil Street, hv means of gas poison ' ing, self administered, no cause hem; shown for his act.