SUDDEN ILLNESS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 23, 7 November 1938, Page 4

SUDDEN ILLNESS.

MAIL CONTRACTOR SUCCUMBS. CORONER ADJOURNS INQUEST. Becoming ill o at the mouth of the Rakaia. River on Saturday night, Mr William Leonard Houghton, aged, 26, a mail contractor on the Dorie rural delivery died as he was being taken to Rakaia. At an inquest which was opened yesterday before the District Coroner (Mr E. C. Bathurst), Constable W. Coatsworth stated that Houghton was a married man with one child. He had been staying with friends at the .mouth of the river. It had been reported to the police that he was seen to take a drink and said, “There you are; I’ve done it now.” Houghton was taken ill soon after. Evidence of identification was goven by Arthur Frederick Houghton, who said he last saw his brother alive about 6 p.m. on Saturday at his mother’s residence at Rakaia, when he appeared to be in good health. Deceased had never stated his intention of taking his own life, and to witness’s knowledge had no enemies who might wish to do him harm. The inquest was adjourned, the Coroner ordering a post-mortem examination.