DEATH AFTER PARTY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27670, 28 May 1955, Page 8

DEATH AFTER PARTY

INQUEST CONCLUDED AT TIMARU (New Zealand Press Association) TIMARU, May 27. A finding that Allan John Hay, single, aged 35, died at his brother’s farm at Roseville on March 31 from the effects of alcohol and barbiturates associated with exposure was returned by the Coroner (Mr M. M. Enting) today. Sergeant G. M. Cleary described finding the body at 3.45 pm. on April 3 lying near a gorse bush. The body was clad only in a woollen dressing gown and sandals. The pathologist at the Timaru Public Hospital, Dr. N. U. C. Godfrey, said that after examining the report of the Government analyst at Christchurch (Mr N. P. Alcorn), he considered Hay died from the effects of alcohol and barbiturates associated with exposure. The witness told the Coroner he had no idea how Hay obtained the barbiturates. Raymond Edward Hay said that he last saw his brother alive on March 30 in the workroom at his house. He was then in good health, and was just on his way into town. The evidence of two members of the Borovansky Ballet was taken in Dunedin. Thomas Alfred Merrifield, married, aged 21, of Sydney, described a party held at Hay’s house. The party continued into the early hours of March 31. At no time was there any disturbance, arguments, or disorderly behaviour. Merrifield and another member of the company, Raymond Plimmer Phillips, single, aged 27, of Sydney, said that Hay had been very intoxicated.