AGENT FOUND DEAD IN HIS OFFICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 140, 3 September 1927, Page 9

AGENT FOUND DEAD IN HIS OFFICE

HEAD NEAR GAS FIRE (From Our Own Correspondent.) MASTERTON, Friday. William Gillespie, an insurance and labour agent, was found dead this morning in his office where he slept after working late last night. The late Mr. Gillespie, together with a friend named Nicholson, was back at the office last evening making up books. They had a bottle of whisky which was consumed, and as the hour was late when they completed their work they decided to sleep in the office, making bunks on the floor. Nicholson states that he awoke at three o’clock this morning and Gillespie was then all right. He went oft" to sleep, and awoke again at six o’clock. He asked Gillespie if he would make a cup of tea, but got no reply. Turning over he saw Gillespie lying with his head near the gas fire which was turried full-on. An inquest is being held this afternoon. Gillespie is an elderly man. He was formerly a telegraph operator, but of later years took up secretarial work. The coroner’s verdict was that Gillespie met his death from gas poisoning, although whether it was selfinflicted or accidental he was not prepared to say.