DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1, 6 May 1913, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS.

RESULT OF A DRINKING BOUT

[Pee Pit ess Association.]

Wellington, May 5

At the inquest on the bodies ol Hall and his wife, who were found dead in a room of a house in Lome Street, ‘which was partially burned on Saturday {tight, evidence showed that a quantity of liquor was taken into the house during Saturday evening, and that the three boarders (who escaped), and both the deceased were under the" influence of liquor. The boarders went to lied about 9.30 o’clock, leaving the old couple sitting in the kitchen. About 11.30 two of the boarders (Lloyd and O’Sullivan) were awakened by fire. They called Stevenson (the third man) and all got out. Lloyd, before leaving, called to Mrs Hall, but, receiving no reply and having left the Halls sitting in the kitchen, ho thought they had both got out. The coroner (Mr W. G. Riddell) returned a verdict that the deceased were accidentally suffocated. He remarked that if the boarders had not been aparently under the influence of drink, they might have made a more careful investigation to see if the old people were safely out of the house.

“NOTED COAT THIEF.”

Napier, May 6

Arthur Doughty, described by the police as a “noted coat thief,” was sentenced to three years’ reformative treatment for theft of overcoats. The police records showed that prisoner had served eleven sentences for theft and false pretences.