A Peculiar Case.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4887, 27 November 1894, Page 3

A Peculiar Case.

[By Telegraph.—Press Association)

Auckland, Monday. An inquest has been hold at Pukekohe into the circumstances of tho death of Sarah Pcplor, an old woman upwards of 80 years of age, who it was alleged had been assa-ilted by her husband Noah Popler, a man 90 years of ago and who was in custody, The inquiry which was conducted by Inspector Hickson, was of an exhaustive nature. There was general cvidonco of continuous squabbling between the accused and decoascd, and it transpired that tho old man was extremely jealous of his wife. A post mor/cmoxamination was made by Dr, Forbes, who discovered no traco of injuries inflicted by force, but found advanced fatty degeneration of tho heart and othor organs, and he attributed hor death to syncope and senile decay. Tho jury wore oxtremoly puzzled about their verdict, Their first verdict was in effect ono of manslaughter, but when theso fresh circumstances were pointed out to them they disclaimed any intention of bringing in such a verdict. Thoy did not desiro to bring in a chargo of manslaughter, nor did they wish to altogether acquit tho accused of blame. They finally returned a verdict of death from senile decay, with a rider recommending the Coroner to reprimand Popler for his apparent UHkindness to his wife and daughter. Thoro was ono dissentient to the verdict,

The Coroner then severely reprimanded accused for his conduct to his wifo and child, telling him that tho jury felt he was to somo extent to blame for the death of his wife.

Accused was subsequently brought before a J.P. on tho charge on which ho had been arrested, hut as no evidence was offorcd,he was discharged,