IMQUEST

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 116, 30 November 1938, Page 2

IMQUEST

FARMER’S SUDDEN DEATH DUE' TO NATURAL CAUSES The inquest concerning the death of Joseph Gray AYalker, a single man, aged 38, 'at Teuton on Monday morning, was heard before Mr. F* J. Short, district coroner, at the Opotilci Courthouse yesterday afternoon. Sergeant J. Ishister conducted proceedings on behalf of the police. .Air. A- Pierrepoint, farmer of Tonton, gave evidence of identification. He stated that deceased was his nephew and lie was the only relative in New Zealand. Deceased laid always enjoyed good health. On the 27th. inst. his nephew went out to Mr. Haskell’s place at about 8 p.m. with Air. Starky. Witness went to bed and at about 1 a.m. next morning deceased i#l asked for brandy. He was all doubled up with pain in his chest and said he had never felt so had in his life. Deceased appeared to think it was the . beer lie had find while out that was the trouble. Deceased lay on his side in bed hut witness did not see him actually take the. brandy. At about 5 a.m. lie found deceased dead in Heel. When lie had seen deceased earlier in the night he did not show signs of drunkenness. He was of a bright disposition and did not at any time .show suicidal tendencies. James Starky, 22 years of age. said he worked on his father’s farm at Ton toil. They, had a party at Haskell’s place and witness had previously got a. keg of beer. Several others were present and they had several drinks. They left at a limit 11 p.m. Deceased who was quite sober had always enjoyed good health as far as lie knew. Deceased sang at the party. Air- J. V. Haskell, dairvfarmer of Toatoa, said he knew the deceased, who came to his house with Jim Starky on Sunday night. He remained at the house until 11 p.m. He heard the deceased say lie would walk home, hut Air. Starky said he would drive him home. Deceased was jolly when he left the house hut was quite sober. The only, poison he. had on the place was a bottle of Joyes’ fluid and this had not been touched. , To the coroner, .witness stated that nobody else hud complained of being ill after drinking the beer. I)r. H. J. .Mail said that cm tho,2Btli. inst. lie went to. Toatoa and examined Walker’s body. It was impossible to say then what the cause of death was. He- performed a post mortem examination on Alonday and discovered a blockage in a heart vessel. In his opinion death was due to coronary thrombosis. The coroner in his verdict said it was perfectly clear as to the cause of death, which was in accord with the medical evidence. He wished to express his sympathy to the relatives.