THE LATE W. L. SWINBURNE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3524, 10 July 1920, Page 4

THE LATE W. L. SWINBURNE.

COR()NER’S INQUEST. ._.__._£._ An inquest: was held by Mr J. P. Aldridge yesterday moi-ning on Walter London Swinburne, who was founrl dead in bed on" Vveclnesday‘ niorning. Mrs A, E. Miles, a married woman I'e.siding' in Ellis Road, said she lived next noor to Mr h.‘winbul'ne_. and for years past had daily supplied him with milk. La'st saw him alive on Saturdu_V_ She left the mill; in the usual place on Sunday. She heard My Swinburne coughing on Tuesday. On leaving the milk on Wednesday .~a‘-:19 ilOll(‘.Hl zlie previous. day’.~'. milk had not been removed. She rang up llw I--lc--zilili Oflicer. but he was not at home. Deceased had not" been well lal‘el_V.

Dr 'i\:l'a(:i3_ml'nlid said deceased was in the public hospital from February :37 1-.» ;\pl‘i'. last. He was then suffering fruxn \'el;v grout malnutrition and hem-t woal:nos;<. He examined the bo(l_v of (lecoziseti on Thursday. He probably had been dead one or two (i-u_\‘.'<. Death. in witness’ opinion was due to Ezerni faihn-0 resulting from (i+=bili’ry and mal—nutrition. There was no P\'i(lt_'llCG of anything but natural causes. Deceased was very" difficult to deal with, and resented any sug{.f,'f‘:~‘HCl]S of help. .9

Sel'g'eulll‘ -Matthews stated he, ac-c-.umpanied Mr Swindells to the residence of deceased? They found the body of deceased lying on a wire mattress of a double hed_ ‘There were no 111'.1x'k.< of violence or a struggle; evm-'_vthing pointed to deceased having died a natural death. He went with the Coroner to the house, and in dec-ased’s trousers pocket found 3 sum of over £6 and a. cheque for £33 5/. Witness knew deceased for the last four years. He last saw him alive on Saturday and he appeared to be in feeble health and suffering from a. heavy cold. Deceased resided alone.

Harry Wilfrid Swinburne, son of deceased, said he last saw his father

about six w(=c—l~;s ago. He was about

70 years of age. The verdict of the Coroner was that deceased died of heart failure. the result. of debility and nlal-nutti-tion.