SUDDEN DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST. Mr John James Found Dead in a Bath.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 85, 17 January 1885, Page 3

SUDDEN DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST. Mr John James Found Dead in a Bath.

Auckland, January 13. Mr John James, an old and highly-respected colonist, who for some years past has acted as clerk to tho Waitemata County Council and Secretary to the Board of Governors of tho Auckland College, met with his death under somewhat painful circumstances yesterday aftei'iioon. The facts aro as follow : Yesterday morning the deceased gentleman rose eaily, one of his daughters being desirous of catching a steamer. While moving about the house ho had the misfortune to fall down stairs, suffering 1 severe contusions on tho face and legs. He was attended by Ur. Sanders, homoeopathic, who advised him to take a hot bath, and pave him some arnica, which was to be ii'-ed while bathing. Tho deceased was ablo to come to town, and shortly beforo two o clock in tho afternoon he proceeded to Messrs Mason Brothers' establishment, Queen-street, for the purposo of following out tho advico of his medical adviser. The bath man was abt-ent at the time, but one of the assistants in the haircutting department, a young man named Freeman, supplied the bath. Mr James entered the bathroom and closed the door, but shortly afterwards des-ired Freeman to mako the bath warmer, mentioning that he was taking it by medical advice, ha\ing met -\\ ifch an accident. Sub-e-quently the bath was still further heated, at Mr James's request. About half-past four the bath man, Newton, who had returned in the meantime, became alarmed at the continued silence in the bathroom, and drew the attention of Mr Thomas Mason to tho matter, who at onco advised that the door should bo forced. This was done, when Mr James was discovered lying on his right side in the bath, tho water partially covering the mouth and nostrils. Thero ■was a little blood at the nostrils. He was quite dead, and rigid, and had probably been dead for a couple of hours. Mr Thomas Mason at onco sent for medical ashistance, and Drs. Philson and Dawson weio boon in attendance. After applying tho usual tests, they were both of opinion that the deceased had not died of drowning. There were numerous bruises on tho lower part of tho body, principally on the left side. The deceased wa3 advanced in year?, and leaves a grown-up family of sons and daughters.