MAN POISONED

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1929, Page 6

MAN POISONED

EX-SOLDIERS’ TRAGIC END. (By telegraph— rer Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 27. An inquest- as to lhe death of George Ernest Hensley, aged 40, a labourer, and a marrid man, who died at Christchurch Hospital on Sunday morning after being admitted apparently suffering from poisoning, was. 1 opened before Mr Levv.v.'vS.M., to-day. Francis’ Hayes i.avery, a neighbour d' deocuMPlßsnid lie was (called in to see Hensley late on Saturday night, and fouiuh him in a had way, frothing at the 'mouth. WilnosS'gnve him salt and water, and' suimiijonod-! Dr Pearman .who ordered his removal to the Hospital. Elizabeth Ann Hensley I, widow of deceased, said her husband left home after breakfast returning at 6.00 p.m slightly under the ll influence of liquor. Witness went cut to shop, and on returning found hoip;-husband going t; bed. He called her to his room, and when she as Iced what was the matter. lie said : “This is the end of the dope!”-’ Witness thought -lie mean! tho drink.. She went. 1 shade to the kitchen, lrtit, returned to the bedroom several times. She found, him lying quite still. About 10.1*5 1 witness bean 1 a groan, and asked her husband what was the mailer and wliaT'he bad taken. Al* he replied wvup: “Opium l Opium!” ;• V ‘tki Witness said that, since being invalided Inme from the Avar, sufferin' from tuberculosis, her husband hat done no regular work/ bis health heinc indifferent. His mental condition had been peculiar in recent years, osporia 11v when under the infltmee of liquor He had spoken occasionally of takim witness’s life and his own and had spoken of poison.