ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 161, 7 January 1914, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER'S SUDDEN DEATH. ' _ By Telegraph,—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Richard Mostyn Hoops, a middle-aged man, residing with his family at 20, Oriental Terrace, died suddenly this afternoon. Hoops left his home on New Year's Eve, and did not return till 11.30 p.m. on Monday. This morning, he complained of feeling unwell. At mid-day ho drank a cup of beef-tea, but his condition was so bad at 3 p.m. that a doetor was summoned. Hoops had by this time lapsed into unconsciousness, and he died at 4.30 p.m. A box of opium pills was found in his room, end it is thought possible that Hoops may have taken an overdose of these. Hoods was a commercial traveller for a firm of chemical manufacturers. A MAN DROWKKD. Invorcargill, Last Night. The body of James Smith; single, aged 31, a resident of South Tnvercaigill, was found in the Makerewa River'to-day. ■Smith has been niissmn- since New Year's Day, when he attended the swimming carnival, near whoro the body wag found. It is not known how he got into the water.