THE LATE MR H. L. GRIFFEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 29 January 1908, Page 17

THE LATE MR H. L. GRIFFEN.

DEATH FROM NATURAL CAUSES.

(Fhok Oxm Own Comhspowdint.) AUCKLAND January 28.

The evidence at the adjourned inquest on the body of the late Mr H. L. Griffen, formerly a Dunedin pressman, exploded the theory of suicide that had been hinted at. The keeper of the boardinghouse, where deceased took suddenly ill, deposed that he found him in a fit, and had medical assistance called. Deceased was removed to the hospital, where he died. William Lysoght said he had known deceased for some time. Deceased had told him recently in Auckland that he was about to be engaged in a lawsuit in connection with his paper at Whangarei. Wrtnesi knew that deceased was an epileptic sub< ject, and had had a succession of fits a( intervals. He had come from Dunedin* Deceased told him indigestion had become chronic with him.

Dr Sharmaru who conducted the post mortem examination, deposed that he had handed certain sealed exhibits to Dr Bertram, of the hospital staff. The atention, of the police was called to two exhibits. Witness said to Detective M'Mahon at. tba boardinghouse where deceased took ill, in reply to a question, that deceased apparently had had a dose of strychnine. The indications that time pointed to it. The appearance of the brain indicated that he had been subject to epilepsy. After deceased arrived at the hospital he grew weaker, and witness believed, he died from syncope. There was no evidence of suicide.

Dr Goldstein deposed that when called to see the deceased be was told he had had ai fit. „ Witness saw him in a fit, but it was not an epileptic fit, rather resembling the symptons of strychnine poisoning. A bottle of medicine found on deceased^ table had a, bitter taste.

Dr H- Neil was also called, and he had come to the same opinion — viz. ; that de^ ceased was suffering from strychnine poison< ing. In his opinion death- resulted from heart failure following upon convulsions. To Mr Sharpies: Witness ktoew tialj strychnine poisoning symptoms had beeo confounded with epileptic symptoms.

Dr Bertram, of the Auckland Hospital staff, said he believed deceased was suffer* from strychnine poisoning when admitted to the hospital. Death was due to heart failure caused by the convulsions. Th< seizure witness saw did not resembW epilepsy. . The evidence of the Government analyst (Mr J. A. Pond) was to the effect that n± trace .had been found of strychnine. Th*. phials of medicine found in the deceased* bedroom, and handed .to. him for exasniaat tion showed -np trace of strychnine either* He had made a special test lor strychnine. ' The Jury returned a verdict that deceased died from heart failure following ooavut sipoa. „ ...