OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1002, 8 June 1911, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MR W. J. HOPPER—AGED 75It is our painful duty to record the death uf Mr William James Hopper, which occurred suddenly at the residence of his son, Cook Street, at nine o’clock yesterday morning. The immediate cause of death was fatty degeneration uf the heart. The deceased gentleman had of late been enjoying his usual health and yesterday morning was about as usual and his sudden death came as a great shock to his relatives and friends. The late Mr Hopper was 75 years of age, having been born in Bishop Auckland, Durham, England, in 1836. He was a tailor by trade and after following his occupation for some years in England, immigrated to Australia, arriving in Melbourne in 1870. In 1879 he came to Christchurch and after remaining there for some years he again returned to Australia. Three and a half years ago he came from Melbourne to Foxton, taking up his residence with his son and has resided here since then. The late Mr Hopper was married in Ehgland, and leaves a family of ten to mourn their loss. His wife predeceased him some years years ago. The deceased gentleman’s family include; Mr F. W. Hopper and Miss C. M. Hopper (Foxton), Mrs Swanuell (Petone) and Mr F. C. Hopper. In common with their many friends we extend our sympathy to the bereaved relatives. The funeral will leave the residence of Mr F. W. Hopper, Cook Street, at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

THE INQUEST. An inquest was held before Alf. Fraser Esq., District Coroner, this morning, when the following evidence was taken : Clara Maud Hopper, daughter of deceased, stated that on the morning of June 7th, deceased seemed in his usual health and had breakfast at about eight o’clock. He then went out and attended to the fowls and returning offered to assist witness with the work. Witness did not require his assistance and as she was going out made all preparations for his comfort, and went into her room to get ready. Shortly afterwards she heard a thump and a noise

from the coal scuttle but took no notice as she thought deceased was attending to the fire. On going out shortly afterwards to say goodbye to deceased, found him lying on the floor. Tried to attract his attention but could not and feeling that he was dead went and brought her brother who sent for Dr. Adams.

Dr. Adams in evidence said that a few minutes past nine o’clock on June 7th, he was called to see deceased and on arrival found the body lying with the beard in the coal scuttle and upon examination found life to be extinct. Acting on instructions received by the police witness held a post-mortem examination and found the heart in an advanced state of fatty degeneration and in his opinion death was due to heart failure through fatty degeneration of the heart muscles. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.