DUE TO MORPHIA?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 592, 19 February 1929, Page 13

DUE TO MORPHIA?

OUTFITTER’S DEATH INQUEST OPENED

Between the time Harold Jackson Clark took ill at his boarding house in Symonds Street and the time a doctor arrived too late to save his life nearly two hours had elapsed. This statement was made yesterday to the coroner, Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., by Beryl Palmer, who had kept company with Clark for three years. •

Medical evidence said that Clark had died from heart failure following an overdose of morphia, but, at the request of counsel for deecased’s relatives. the inquest was adjourned until to-morrow afternoon to bring medical evidence to satisfy counsel that an overdose of morphia had been taken “If anything should happen to separate us, you will not think harshly of me,” Miss Palmer said Clark had said to her. Clark, who was an outfitter 23 years of age, died at the boarding house on January 24. He had a bad attack through what Miss Palmer considered to be the taking of tco much liquor. Aid was given to Clark, and two attempts were made to bring a doctor, but none arrived for nearly two hours.

Clark had been complaining about his health, and, against Miss Palmer’s advice, had said that he had been taking morphia to secure sleep.