Awfully Sudden Death.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2516, 17 April 1878, Page 2

Awfully Sudden Death.

James S. Aitken, a young and unmarried man, nephew of Mr W. Aitken; Land Agent, died in an awfully sudden manner in Fort-street this morning. He waa-em-ployed as a clerk in the office of.-Messrs Hesketh and Richmond, and was sent a. half-past nine o'clock this morning with a bundle of deeds to the office of Mesas Jackson and Russell. As it was necessary ■ to deliver the documents in haste,. Mr Aitken, who was lame, was going alongat more than his usual speed. He had turned the corner in Fort-street, when he fell ii. a fit, in front of the auction rooms of Messrs Cochrane and Sons,, on his face. The fallwas heard by a messenger in the auctioniroom, named Colgan, who informed Mr Keesing, and the latter with Mr Stichbury, storeman, ran to Mr Aitken's assistance. About the same time Mr Sandford, in the employ ef Messrs Jackson and Russell, turned! the corner from Queen-street and ran.to.assist. Mr Sandford had been close behind Mr Aitken on the way along. Queen-street, bat observed nothiug unusual in his manner. Mr Pitcher and others who were attracted to the spot, rendered prompt assistance. Mr Aitken was carried: into Messrs Cochraue's auction mart,, and placeefc on a sofa. He was breathing very hard[. Unit did not speak a word, and appeared tofeequtte unconscious. Mr Stichbury ran roß_uf to a chemist shop and procured some restoratives, while the other gentlemen present; loosened the neck-tie and. collar and applied water. Mr Stichbury applied the restoratives to Mr Aitken's nose, but without effect, and he at once ran for Dr Lee, who arrived within fifteen minutes from the-time of the fall. JDr Lee,, however,, found life extinct Meantime another messenger had been daspatched for Dr Hooper,, who arrived shortly after Dr Lee, but of course the deceased was beyond, the reach of his aid. The medical gentlemen certified that the cause of death was apoplexy.. The deceased was removed to the residence, of hifi mother. He had. been five years in the employment of Messrs- Hesketh and Richmond, and. previously in. the office of _& Kissling, and. in both cases he had, w understand, given the utmost satisfaction. He was generally respected by all who knew him, on account of his courteous and obliging disposition and his energetic industrious habits. Out of respect, the offices of Messrs Hesketh and Richmond were closed to-day. It is rather a singular fact that deceased was about to effect an insurance on his life in the Mutual Life Association of Austral*. His application had been approved of, Si he was to have been examined bylfr Goldsbro' to-day. Dr Lee has certified that death was caused by cerous ape-pleas an inquest, therefore, is unnecessary, -le funeral will leave the late residence of deceased to-morrow at three o'clock.