DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1932, Page 3

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

evidence at inquest, a depressed parent

AUCKLAND, August. 8. The adjourned inquest into the deaths of’. William Charles Morrison, -aged 50, and his five-year-old son, , Johi? Albert Morrison, who were found dead i ; n bed in an apartiueut house- ip : the city "oh J uly 31st, was. concluded; to-day;; When, thefragedy was discolored, gas- was escaping from a heatei. in the room. The heater was turned on but not lighted. June Love, hoarding-house proprie--1 tress, said Morrison came to hve in the house abou six weeks ago. He occupied a bed sittig room, and had his little son, to whom he was much attached, to stay with him at weekends. 1 A few days before the tragedy witness signed at. Morrison s request what purported to be a Will, as a witness. On July 29th, the boy was brought to the lfouse to visit his father. They slept together that night, and on the following afternoon they attended a football match at Carlaw Park, but came home early, as Mi Morrison was feeling unwell. The father played cards in the evening and appeared normal when lie retired -to bed with his child.. Nothing oat of the ordinary' was heard dui ing the ■ night, hut on Sunday morning witness noticed a smell of gas, and ylatei found father and. son dead, in theii room, Which was filled with gas from : the heater., “Except that Morrison ■ Was very, depressed, I noticed nothing unusual abouti him on the previous day, and he . gave me no indication ■that he intended to take his life or ; that of the boy,” said witness, “The house had been locked overnight, and. as I held the keys, it, was impossibe for any person to enter without mj knowledge.” Dr Lindsay said that he found the bodies in on attitude of deep repose, both man- and boy. having died, in their sleep. There was no sign of a disturbance, ;i v- .\ - . Ida Morrison said she separated from her •• husband about seven m.onths ago. He had suffered considerably from a’war injury to the knee, and had had numerous operations. For some time" he had aPP eare< l mentally depressed and wandering in his man nor. He had never given any indication that lie intended to commit sui- ■ side or take the, boy’s life. The Corner returned a verdict that death was due to poisoning by coal gas. In the case of the father death. Was brought about by his own act, and in the case of the son by the act of the I father.