SUDDEN DEATH.

Evening Star, Issue 9314, 12 December 1893, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH.

The fact that the shop of Mr Thomas Whittingham, chemist, doing business in the Arcade, had not been opened since Saturday, engendered a suspicion that all was not right, and, information being conveyed to the police, Sergeant Shirley entered the premises last evening and found Mr Whittingham lying on a sofa. Dr Lamb examined the body and gave it as his opinion that death had taken place at least twentyfour hours previously. Mr Whittinghum wis a bachelor, sixty-two years of age, and I.Ted alone. THE INQUEST was held this afternoon at the Bull and Mouth Hotel before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of whom Mr T. C. Matheson Mas made foreman. Claud Summers Edpar, chemist's assistaut to Mr Bagley, identified the body. Deceased was born at Rosliston, near Burton-on-Trent, and came to the colony in 1870. Since early childhood lie had been a sufferer from chronic asthma, consequent on an attack of measles, and in later life he was also troubled with severe attacks of rheumatic gout. His breathing was very short at times. He was a cousin to Mrs Bagley, senior, deceased. Jacob Morris, living in the Arcade, said that he last saw deceased alive about 10 p.m. on Saturday. The band was playing, and Whittingham climbed a ladder to talk to the performers, Witness sent half «n hour later for some liniment, and the messenger brought it back. The shop was not opened on Sunday last, nor on the Monday, so witness spoke to Mr Goldstein, who informed the police. Mrs Keligher, wife of Patrick Keligher, of the Crown Hotel, said that Whittingham came to the hotel about 11 p.m. on Saturday, and had a small glass of ale and a little bread and cheese, after which he left. He said in answer to a question that he was much the same as usual. He generally called about the last thing in the evening. He used to complain of intense pain from sciatica or gout, and also suffered from asthma. Dr Lamb said that he saw nothing in the appearance of the body to lead him to suppose that death was due to other than a natural cause. Most probably death was caused by some heart affection. Sergeant Shirley, in the course of his evidence, said that • Whitt-'ngham frequently told him that he felt very delicate. He was often walking about the Arcade late at night, and told witness that he would have to take a little morphia to put him to sleep. Saw no sign of morphia about the room. Less than a week ago he remarked that he felt himself breaking up. In answer to the Coroner the jury said they did not consider a post mortem examination necessary. Verdict: " Death from natural causes."