CORONER’S INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1927, Page 2

CORONER’S INQUEST

An inquest was held at 10 a - m - M the Police Station before Mr D. . • Evans, District Coroner, touching Hie death of Archibald McArthur, who was found dead at his residence, North Revell St., about mid-day yesterday. Evidence was tendered by Airs B. Findlay. Dr Teichelimum and Messrs p u . Fane. Claude 0. McArthur an<l Scrgt. King. From the evidence it appeared the deceased whose age vas 80 yoais uas a retired farmer and builder. He resided in North Revell St., living in a two-roomed dwelling, alone, up to some weeks ago. when he went to the AYe.stlancl Hospital. He was at the hospital for about three week-, leaving the institution last Friday, and then stayed at the house of a neighbour, Mrs Robert Findlay, where he had his meals and slept. He was not in good health. Early yesterday morning he asked for a drink of fruit salts and later ho had breakfast—porridge, beef tea and some whisky. He got up about 10.30 and said he would go to his own dwelling for some papers. Airs Findlay endeavoured to dissuade him from going hut without avail. He said he would he away about an hour, and walked' alone. Alter the lapse of the hour Mrs Findlay went to look for McArthur. She found the door shut and fastened, and could get no answer. She called Air F. Fane, a nearby resident, who could smell gas outside the dwelling. The blind was drawn, and the door was fastened. Mr Fane climbed through a window and found deceased sitting in a chair before the llreplace with a rug over his head. \A hen the rug was pulled away he was found to be dead. He had a gas tube in his hand and the tap turned on full. Dr Tciehclmann. who happened to pass at the time, was summoned and up in examination pronounced life extinct. The neighbours stated there was nothing to show why he did the deed, and had given no indication of such a course to anyone. Deceased suffered from severe chest pains at times which occasioned considerable distress.

A verdi-ct of death by gas poisoning self-administered was returned. The Coroiler spoke of the deceased as a sterling pioneer settler, always highly respected by all who knew him. and expressed sympathy with the bereaved relatives.