OBITUARY.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 6 August 1919, Page 3

OBITUARY.

I MR W. CLELAND. Tlic news of the sudden death of Mr AVilford AlcGiffert Clcland, of Te Horo, which occurred late on Monday afternoon last, came as a great shock to the district. Mr Cleland was in his usual good health that day, when he went to his farm situated at Hadfield, near AVaikanac. He had linished his day's work, and on leaving for home was seen to stagger. Assistance was soon at hand and the doctor was sent for, but Mr Cleland died almost immediately, J presumably from heart disease. Mr Cleland resided for some years at Levin and AVaikanac, moving to To Horo about IS months ago. Ho was one of those quiet, gentlemanly men, held in the highest esteem by all who knew him—a man of sterling worth and undoubted integrity, and his early death in the prime of life—he was only -11 years of age—will be universally regretted. In his earlier days Mr Clcland was a ", splendid footballer, and played many a p lino game in representative matches for llorowhenua. Deceased leaves a widow (sister to Mr C. Cotter, of Manakau, and Mrs S. I Hall, Levin) and four young children. Mery great sympathy is felt with them and other relatives in their bereavement. Deceased was eldest son of Mrs 'J. M. Cleland, of AVcllingtou. The funeral will take place to-mor-row, leaving deceased's residence, Te Horo, at 2 p.m. for the Otaki cemetery. INQUEST. An inquest was held at Tc Horo this morning, before Mr AV. C. Nation, District Coroner. AVilliam Henry Joseph Huthwaito ' stated: I am medical practitioner residing at Otaki. I have known de- : ceased for several years, but have never 1 had occasion to attend him profession- 1 ally. On the evening of the 4th I re- 1 ccivcd a message to go to his farm at | ' AVaikanac. On arrival I found life ex- | J

tinct, and was informed he had been dead about an hour.. I examined him, and from the description of tho attack given mo by Mr Jones, his manager, and also from the appearance of tho body, I came to the conclusion that death was caused by a sudden attack of heart failure.

Ethel Amy Cleland deposed: I am

1 tho wife of the deceased. My husband § was 41 years of age last April, and wc

have resided in this district for over seven years. He left home on tho 4th about 9.,10 n.m. for his farm, near A\ Taikanae, 34 miles distant. On the Fri-

day evening previous lie complained of

!i pain in his chest, and he came inside and sat down. The pain passed oil and he had a good night. On Saturday ho was cutting hay for the cow when the pain caught him again, and later flic samo day the pain returned, and he afterwards took tilings easy, and said he did not feel too good. AVhcncver he stooped he felt the pain and blamed it

to indigestion. He rested again on Sunday and slept splendidly at night. On Monday he got up about a-quarter to seven a.m., and on being asked said ho had no pain, but that he did not foci quite in his usual health. I wanted

him to have the doctor, but he said ho thought it only indigestion and would pass off. My husband was born in AA’ellington, and wc have been married 17 years.

David Hunter, farmer, residing near AVaikanac, stated: I lease part of deceased farm, and knew him well. He always appeared in good health. On .tho afternoon of the 4th I was sent for by Mrs Jones, his manager’s wife., Sho said Mr Cleland was very ill, and would I bring some brandy. AVlien I first saw Mr Cleland he was staggering, and before I reached him he fell on his face. I asked him what was the matter, and he shook his head, and rubbed his chest. I asked him to take gome brandy, which he did. He later asked me to take him to the house and put him ou the bed. His voice was then very weak. I lifted him to his feet, and practically carried him into 'the house and put him On a couch. Hot water bottles were placed across his c-hest. Mrs Hunter asked-Mr Clcland if he had had medical advice, and deceased said. “No; not lately." From this he gasped heavily, and soon afterwards passed away.

A verdict of death from a sudden attack of heart failure was returned.