HAMILTON SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1921, Page 5

HAMILTON SENSATION.

A MAN’S BODY EXHUMED. NEW EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. By Telegraph—Prew Association. Hamilton, May 21. Recently Cecil R. Smallfield, stock agent and racehorse owner, disappeared while bathing. His body was recovered a few days later. In August last, it is stated, deceased insured his life for

j C 15,000. A verdict was returned that | death was caused by heart failure due to immersion. Subsequently the body was exhumed and portions were forwarded to the Government analyisl. The inspection resulted in the inquest being re-opened yesterday. Dr. MacLaurin gave evidence that he examined portions of the body and found carbolic acid present. He handed in his report, a clause of which stated that quite sufficient carbolic acid was taken by deceased to cause death. Keith Howard Chapman said that he went swimming with deceased on January 2’6. Deceased was of a bright disposition and made no suggestion of an intention to commit suicide. They had been swimming together on the previous Sunday, when deceased had a seizure and had to be helped out. On the last occasion deceased was in a happy mood. Both were swimming when suddenly deceased disappeared. He had been quite rational. Witness did not think deceased would hare taken, poison without witness seeing him.

Other evidence was to the effect that decease 1 was of cheerful disposition and never mentioned suicide.

Dr. Pinfold gave evidence that he conducted the first post mortem and found no trace of carbolic acid. He did not make any chemical examination. The stomach was completely empty. He did not believe deceased could have behaved as he did if he had taken acid. The heart was smaller than it should have been. He considered the deceased died of heart failure, from shock of water and diving. It was quite possible that carbolic could get into the kidney- through a flesh wound. Witness had conducted many post mortem®. Dr. Garland, who was present at the first post mortem, corroborated Dr. Pinfold. They did not discover any signs of carbolic poisoning. The 900 grains of carbolic acid was not in the deceased at the time of the post mortem. The cheerful attitude of deceased before hie disappearance was inconsistent with taking carbolic acid. The inquest is proceeding, and is arousing widespread interest. .