WATERSIDER FOUND DEAD

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 5, 1 October 1929, Page 12

WATERSIDER FOUND DEAD

“CIRCUMSTANCES VERY PECULIAR.”

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Auckland, September 30.

Alfred James Barker, aged 36, a married man, was found dead In his home at Grey Lynn. He was a watersider, and had recently been unemployed. Giving evidence at the inquest, the deceased's wife stated that she had been at a euchre party with her two children. On returning home at 10.45 p.m„ she found her husband on the kitchen floor with a gas tube in his mouth and his head under a cloth. She did not think he was dead, as she had seen him like that before. When he was drunk he slept in the kitchen, and therefore she did not notify the police. He had previously threatened to shoot himself. She later informed Walters, who rented a room in her house, that she thought her husband had gassed himself. Walters said he thought Barker was in a drunken sleep. Mrs. Barker and Walters retired to their respective rooms at 2 a.m., and at 4 a.m. she looked at her husband, who remained in the same position Then she called Walters, and they sent for ( the police. Walters. In evidence, said he did not think Barker was dead. Although his hands were cold, he did not advise calling a doctor. Mr. F. K Hunt. Coroner, in returning a verdict Of suicide by gas poisoning, said: “The circumstances are very peculiar, but no doubt they acted bona fide.”