A STRANGE LETTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1921, Page 5

A STRANGE LETTER.

FOUND ON A DEAD MAN. A VEILED WARNING. By Telegraph —Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. At the adjourned inquest on P. H. Goodsir, secretary of the Wooiston Tanneries, who was found dead in his office on November 12, the medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to heart failure, resulting from an irritant poison, and accelerated by the diseased condition of the heart. In the doctor’s opinion the irritant poison was alcohol. The Government analyst’s report stated that the condition of the stomach and the stomach contents was consistent with the deceased having drunk a large quantity of strong whisky. The amounts of alcohol recovered were larger than ever previously found. C. M. Ollivier, managing director of the company, said the deceased was an absolutely temperate man. Witness could not identify the handwriting of an anonymous letter found on the body, the text of which was: “You would do well to watch the office during the next few nights. Remember, the balance is not yet finished, and a secretary is blamed for many things when the heads are away. This is not bluff, but just a caution from conversation overheard. It is worth while heeding and watching. Be on your guard and keep your own counsel.—ln good faith. Christchurch, October 25, 1921.” A verdict was returned that death was due to alcoholic poisoning, accelerated by the diseased condition of the heart.