HAMILTON SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1921, Page 5

HAMILTON SENSATION.

WHAT CAUSED DEATH? MEDICAL OPINIONS DfflPEf , By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, May 23. The Smallfield inquest was resumed to-day. Dr. Giesen (Wellington) gave detailed evidence as to the method of conducting post mortems. He said the amount of carbolic acid recovered from the body was more thah a fatal dose. The in. ference was that the poison was taken at some time or times previous to the bathing, and not on the river bank. He thought death was due to the accumu* lated effect of repeated doses taken ai various periods. If, as a fact, the was empty of blood, that would be consistent with the conclusion on the part of Drs. Pinfold and Garland that deceased had died from, shock.

Mr. Neave explained to the coroner that the insurance company only became interested when the verdict at the inquest was not death from drowning but from heart failure.

Dr. Mackenzie said he had attended 200 post mortems. The facts of the present case were not consistent with carbolic acid poisoning, but rather with heart failure from shock. Deceased had made strenuous efforts to race to the river and, not being accustomed te swimming, fainted. He thought that a medically sound opinion based on the evidence. He considered the death of deceased inconsistent with carbolic acid taken in small doses. There was no recorded instance where a man of sane mind committed suicide by slow 4egrees. His opinion was that heart failure was the cause of death.

Hamilton, Last Night. The Smallfleld inquest was continued this afternoon.

Colin Dalbeth said he was present when the body was recovered. Smallfield was of a cheerful disposition. The face was placid and peaceful. Harry Cracknell, public accountant, said he looked after Smallfield’s business affairs. Deceased took his life policies from his safe on the morning of his death. Deceased was never depressed. His net profit at the end of September was £lBOO. Deceased was an optimistic man with an energetic mind, and Was not the type of man to be depressed over business or who would commit suicide. At the time of his death deceased was in credit at the bank to the extent of £1450, and against this there were * Represented cheques for £l4OO. Witness presumed deceased took his life policies from the bank with the intention of raising money on them. The inquest has not concluded.