OBITUARY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 22, 31 December 1915, Page 4

OBITUARY.

JOHN JOSEPH MELVILLE, 59. Many people will learn with deep regret of the sudden death of Mr J. Melville, who has been a resident of the district for many years. Mr Melville was recently under medical treatment, but the suddenness of his end was totally unexpected. During the past fortnight, he complained frequently of being unwell to Mr Lloyd, caretaker of the racecourse, where he was engaged i.i carpentry work. He went to the New Plymouth Races on Monday and Tuesday and on resuming, his duties. again complained. Yesterday he asked. Mr Lloyd to lend him a workman, as he did not feel able to do the work himself. About three o ? olpck in the afternoon, Mr Melville told the workman that he was going home to He down. -On arrival at big house, deceased lay down, and shortly afterwards his wife heard a gurgling sound,,and believing lp?r bus- , band had.taken a fit, sent, ajt once for medical; assistance. Dr. Steven was soon atiJhg house and his, examipa- |, tiorj shqwgd .that, (death Jiatf tajeen >£.; ; r .<■ .- m, v MrjrMqlville was bora,.in Australia .. in 1859, being 56 years pf age, and , arrived in Stratforcj 25 jypars ago. He always, took a. kpen iute^st,,in sport-, ing. and in Iris ,ti m ? : i o\v;ped . several, racehorses, . the , , bpst, . known beipg , Miss Jack, gilyer Sbpll, : Afjaleijtme and ~ Rector. Girl. He was p , master, ; pa,r- ( penter in trade, and during his time canned out large contracts, Deceased leaves a family of five daughters, with whom and Mrs Melville much sympathy is expressed. ,Thei interment; will be priyate.,, , THE INQUEST. ~f

An inquest was conducted before .Mi' W. 11. Haselden, S.M., District Coroner, at the' Courthouse this afternoon. : ' 1 ■•' ’' ' ;; o(|Dj..u in his evidence, said'he •#asl(kited‘'to the deceased’#'residence yesterday’'afternoon about 5 o'clock. teas then half reclining, an hhf fied-h uHe had no hat or coat on, ’otherwise he was. fully dressed. He was quite dead, but the body was warm, and death could only have occurred a few minutes previously. When the body was examined no marks of violence were found. Death was due to heart failure. Amy Melville, wife of deceased, said her husband had complained of indigestion recently, and had consulted a drictor some time ago. Deceased was an; early riser, but it was about 7 a.m. 'before he arose yesterday, and then Ife apepared in his usual state of health. He stayed about home all day and had lunch at between 12 and 1 p.m. She believed that deceased had been vomiting during the day. M about 4.30 deceased returned irom t*ie racecourse, where he naa neon Going some work, and said he felt unwell, and lay down on his bed. Witness went into the room and deceased sat up, and thinking lie was better she soon left, but had only got outside the door when she heard a noise, and on going back she found her husband dead. She rang up Dr. Steven, who arrived in a few minutes. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died, from heart failuie.

PASSING OF A NONAGENARIAN. Pee Puses lAsspcurioji. New Plymouth, Deceihber 31. Thomas Colson, a very old settler, aged 90. The late Mr Colson, was an uncle of Mr T. I). Colson, of Stratford. When 1 Mr Colson first arrived in New Plymouth, he commenced a bakery business in Currie Street, and later sold out to bis brother. He then took on farming at “Hereford.” at the top end of Carrington Road, and after staving there a few years, he retired from an active life, and took up his residence at Property Flat, where he has .been living ever since. Mrs Colson pre-deceased her husband by about two years.