SUDDEN DEATH AT LICHFIELD.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1816, 26 February 1884, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH AT LICHFIELD.

A sudden death of an exceedingly painful character occurred at Lichfield on Saturday morning last. Mr Robert Moieton, one of the officials of the Thames Valley Land Settlement Company, who, with Mrs Moreton, for some time past has been lesiding on the block, occupying the residence known as the Club-house, near Lichtield, was found dead in his bed on B.itmday morning. It appears that on the previous evening the deceased gentleman had engaged a seat in Mr Uiles Keeloy's buggy, intending to go to Cambridge, and desirous of making an early start, requested the servant gul to wake him eaily for breakfast. Befoie retiring to hit. loom for the night he seemed in his usual healthy condition and did not complain of any indisposition whatever. The servant rapped the door in the morning but received no i espouse. Mr Koeley soon called with hi.s buggy and also proceeded to endeavour to arouse the inmate by rapping the bedroom door. Receive no respouse and finding the door locked ho proceeded to the window and by means entered the room, when on approaching the bed he found Mr Moreton to be dead. Life had departed several hours previous. He was lying as if asleep, and did not seem to ha\e struggled in any way. The occurrence was soon communicated to_ the other gentlemen residing in the vicinity who immediately proceeded to the house. A messenger was despatched to Cambridge to inform the police authorities of what had happened. Mrs Moreton w«s staying in Cambridge at the time, confined to her room, and the painful duty of communicating to her the sad intelligence devolved upon Dr. Waddington. Dr. Waddington proceeded to Lichheld on Sunday morning to hold a post mortem examination of the body, and the inquest was to have been held yesterday. The deceased gentleman had but lately arrived from England, but had pre\ iously been to the Australian colonies _ and America. He was of excellent physique, and exceedingly healthy in appearance, which makes the suddenness of his demise somewhat unaccountable. Though his residence in the district has been short, his circle of acquaintances was very large; his pleasing manner, and genial disposition made him many friends. The funeral will take place at Cambridge to-day.