ELDERLY MAN’S DEATH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4487, 3 November 1922, Page 2

ELDERLY MAN’S DEATH.

EXPIRES AT RAILWAY STATION. The police received advice yesterday morning that an elderly man, named Allan Millar, an old-age pensioner, had been picked up on the roadside near Maratoto in ah exhausted and emaciated condition. Ar rangements were made to admit him to the Thames Hospital, but whilst waiting for .the train on the Hikutaia station Mr Miller expired. His body was taken to the Hikutaia Hotel, where the inquest was held this morning, before Mr>W. M : . Wallnutt, district coroner. THE INQUEST. Constable McClinchy attended on behalf of the Police, and in evidence said deceased, Allen Miller, was an old man about 85 years of age, and resided in a hut at Maratoto bush about eight miles in from When deceased was in health, he did a little gum-digging in the bush. He was a man who took very little care of himself and lived a poor life in the bush. On Wednesday morning he was picked up on the road, when on his way to draw his old-age pension, by a farmer named Joseph Martin. Deceased was about Hikutaia for two hours and then set out for his home on foot, and was again picked up by Mr Martin, who drove him as far as his (Martin) gate. Mr Dickson came from deceased’s camp to meet him, and found deceased sitting on the roadside. Mr Dickson spoke to him and wanted him to get up and walk home, but deceased only shook 'his' head. Dickson then left and went home, and yesterday morning, about 5 a.m., as deceased did not return home, Dickson again went to him, and found him still in the same place. Mr Martin was informed, and he took deceased to the Hikutaia station to send 'him to the Thames Hospital, and while waiting there for the train tlie deceased died.

Evidence in support was given by Reginald Dickson and Joseph Martin.

Walter lyatson Little, medical practitioner, of Paerba said a post-mortem had' been made oh deceased. The body was that of a man about 80 years of age. There were no signs of any external injury. There were sighs of old pleurisy and a slight congestion of the brain, and the heart muscles were also weak. In his opinion death was due to heart failure, due to old age accelerated by exposure, The examination of deceased disclosed no traces of alcohol. After hearing the evidence the coroner gave a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence tendered, The deceased was brought to Paeroa for burial at mid-day to-day.,The Rev. W. J. Enticott conducted the burial service.