VAGRANT'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 103, 4 May 1925, Page 9

VAGRANT'S DEATH.

BEGGING FOR FOOD. PROBABLE ASPHYXIATION. Described by the police as a man with n long list of convictions and one of the worst methylated spirit drinkers in the town, George Harrison, aged 01, died suddenly on the door-step of a boarding house in Wellington Street yesterday morning. Harrison, who has been wandering about tbe town ns a vagrant, called at the boarding bouse and asked for food, which was given him. He did not finish the meal, but lay down on the door-step. He was given a covering and left, only to be found later, dead. He had a bottle of methylated spirits in lii? pocket. An inquest was opened before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., at the morgue this morning. Constable dv Temple, of Freeman's Bay stated that he was called to the house, where he found the body of deceased. Witness summoned Dr. Griffin, who extracted a piece of food from deceased's throat. Death may have been due to asphyxiation. Constable Hinton identified deceased as a well-known vagrant and "one of the worst methylated spirit fiends" he knew. About two months ago, in Myer's Park, witness warned him about his spiritdrinkinpr habits, Harrison had over 100 convictions. The inquest will be completed tomorrow morning, when medical evidence Will be given.