ACUTE HEART FAILURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1921, Page 7

ACUTE HEART FAILURE.

ENGINEER’S DEATH. INQUEST ON MR. WOOLDRIDGE. The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Robert S. Wooldridge was held at the New Plymouth Courthouse last night by the district coroner (Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M.), when the verdict was that death was due to heart failure. At the opening of the inquest on the previous evening witnesses gave particulars as to the finding of the Jjody in the yard of R. S. Wooldridge’s, Ltd.’s premises on Wednesday night. Evidence as to a post mortem examination of the body was given by Dr. W. R. Wade, who said that as the result of this he found the cause of death was acute heart failure. There was no other apparent reason. In reply to the coroner he said he did not think that the trouble was accelerated by deceased coming into contact with a live electric wire. There were no signs on the hands that deceased had touched a wire, nor were there any indications internally of electric shock. Further evidence was taken as regards deceased’s movements on the night of his death. Henry J. Price, confectioner, of Devon Street,' said Wooldridge was in his shop at twenty minutes to nine on Wednesday night, and appeared to be in his usual state of health.

The coroner said it was perfectly clear that deceased died from heart failure, and a verdict would be brought in accordingly. The late Mr. Wooldridge was born in Australia, and served his time there as an engineer, and on coming to New Zealand as a young man he found employment at the Petone workshops. Later he joined Hatrick and Co., Wanganui, and in 1915 took over the management of the Taranaki Motor Transport Company’s garage in Gill Street, New Plymouth, which he subsequently acquired. His business continued to expand, and a few months ago he formed it into a limited liability company with himself as managing director. He was a very clever engineer, and was responsible for several patents, the best known one being the Wooldridge mechanical hoist, which has been taken up all oyer the country, and provided work for his extensive works. The company built a foundry, which was opened but a few weeks ago, to cope with the work offering. The late Mr. Wooldridge was engaged at the time of his death upon other promising patents.

It is not too much to say that by his death the country has lost a mechanical genius who was destined to go far if he had lived. He was of a kindly disposition, and full of energy and enthusiasm for his work, and his untimely death will be generally regretted. His funeral will take place this morning.