NATURAL CAUSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1939, Page 6

NATURAL CAUSES

DEATH OF AUSTRALIAN CARPENTER. DISTRICT CORONER’S VERDICT. A verdict, in accordance with -medical evidence, of death from heart failure. was returned by the District Coroner, Mr E. G. Eton, at an inquest held yesterday concerning the death of an Australian carpenter, Alfred William Barnett, who died suddenly at Masterton on Thursday. Senior-Sergeant G. A. Doggett conducted the proceedings for the Police. Mr H. W. Barnett, a brother of the late Mr A. W. Barnett, said his brother had never complained of illhealth and he was not aware that he had a bad heart. He had come to New Zealand on a visit to relatives and after working in Masterton for about four weeks had booked his passage to return to Sydney on May 16. Medical evidence given by Dr G. B. Cowie indicated that death was caused by heart failure and was from natural causes. Mrs E. Dunn, proprietor of a boarding hot%e where the late Mr Barnett lived while in Masterton, said that he had been brought home from work by his employer, Mr Jenkins, about 1.15 p.m. on Thursday after having complained of pains in his chest. He refused assistance into tne house, remarking: “I am all right.” Later she heard him groaning and after seeing his condition she summoned- medical assistance but he died about 2 p.m. After evidence by Constable C. H. Reardon, Mr Eton returned a verdict of death from natural causes. He expressed sympathy with Mr Barnett’s widow, family and relatives.