INQUESTS

Evening Star, Issue 17226, 16 December 1919, Page 12

INQUESTS

ROBERT DOW. The Coroner (Mr H. Y. Widdowsori, 5.M.) held an inquest yesterday afternoon concerning the death of Mr-Robert Dow, aged 73, who was found dead in his bath on Sunday. Dr Newlands said that on being called in to see deceased about 1 p.m. on Sunday he found him in bed and persons attempting artificial respiration. Witness found that deceased had been dead for some little time. From information given him by Dr Marshall Macdonald, who had attended deceased some eight years ago, witness concluded that death was due to heart failure owing to senile chauges. The water in the bath where deceased was found was very shallow-. William Dow, sou of deceased, said his father had been playing bowls on Saturday afternoon, and played a little again in the evening. He was tired when he came home, and went to bed about. 10 p.m., rising at 8 o'clock next morning. , Mary Dow. daughter of deceased, said his father did not complain about feeling unwell on Sunday morning. The family went to church, and returned at 1 o'clock. No one answered the knock at the door. The bathroom window was open, and witness called to her fM,-he'.*, who she saw was in the batn. They got in by the back door, and witness went to the bathroom and found her father. His head was not in the water at all. Neighbors came in, and Dr Newlands quickly arrived. It was a custom with deceased to have a bath on Sunday morning. Deceased had died peacefully, and there was no sign of any straggle. A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony—" That death was due to heart failure owing to senile changes."

T. H. EASON. An inquest .was. opened at the Morgue this morning, before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., concerning the death of Mr Thomas Henry Bason, which occurred suddenly yesterday afternoon on a Moruington car. Sergeant represented the-police. Edwin Walter l Beck, land salesman, residing at Musselburgh, said that deceased was his uncle, and resided with his wife at 21 Picardv street, Mornington. There was no family. Ha was a wool closser, and 71 years of ago. He had not complained, of being ill to his knowledge, but he suffered from a- weak heart. Dr Gordon Macdonald had informed him that his uncle would probably go off very suddenly, as lie had a strained heart. Dr Evans gave evidence to the effect that he had examined the body at the morgue. It was well nourished, and there were no marks of violence or injury. From his examination and history of the case he was of opinion that the cause of death was heart failure following senile degeneration. The inquest was adjourned until 4.50 p.m. to-day at the Magistrate's Co-art to enable the constable who removed the body to the. morgue and the tram conductor to give their evidence.