AN OLD MAN'S DEATH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1927, Page 10

AN OLD MAN'S DEATH.

CORONIAL INQUIRY. The death of Mr. Jolin Runciman, aged 91, at the Terminus Boarding House, -Lower Queen Street, Onehunga, 011 Sunday uigiit. was investigated at an inquest beiore the Coroner (Mr. D. A. Sutherland; yesterday afternoon. Mr. William Harris, proprietor of the boarding house, deposed that the deceased went to reside there on Wednesday, December 29 last. He saw him on Sunday last a' about 9.30 p.m. in his bedroom when he complained of pain at his heart aud a burning sensation 111 both of his sides. Mrs. Harris gave him a cup of tea and an agg beaten up. On Monday morning early witness found Mr. Runciman dead in bed. Dr. Alexander Neil McKelvey, medical superintendent of the Auckland Infirmary, stated that Mr. Runciman entered the infirmary on September 21 last, from Mangere, when he showed well-marked signs of senile decay. He left the institution on December 1 last against the advice of witness. m the opinion of Dr. McKelvey the cause of death was heart failure consequent on old age and degeneration of the heart. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. Mr. Runciman arrived in New Zealand when a child,- and had been in the Dominion for 88 years. He saw active? service in the Maori wars in Taranaki and the Waikato, fcr which he received the New Zealand war medal.