DOCTOR’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 20959, 25 November 1931, Page 14

DOCTOR’S DEATH

INSURANCE CLAIM RESISTED fPEB United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 24. Whether Dr Moser, who was found dead in his surgery at Masterton on March 3 last, committed suicide or not was the question involved in an action commenced in the Supreme in which the widow claims from the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society £I,OOO as being allegedly due under a policy taken out by Moser. The defence alleges that Moser committed suicide, and therefore the policy was void. Counsel for the defence agreed that the onus was on them to prove the allegation. It was stated that death occurred six weeks after the policy had been taken out, and the allegation is that death was from chloroform, selfadmin ist&red. Evidence was given by Dr Cowio .and Dr Prior, both of Masterton, and by l)r Anson, Sir Donald M‘Gavin, and Dr Giesen, of Wellington. They were all asked a number of questions about chlorofoim, and whether the circumstances in which Dr Moser was found were not equally as consistent with a fatal experiment or treatment for hay fever as with suicide.

Counse. for the plaintiff asked the court to declare that the company had not discharged the onus of .proving that Dr Moser committed suicide. In an action such as the present one, lie said, that onus was a much greater one than ordinarily. There must bo a preponderance and balance of evidence to show that suicide was committed, otherwise the court should find for the insured. The question of motive was also one that required consideration, and it was admitted that there .was no known motive for Dr Moser to take his life. His Honour said ho would consider the questions raised, and probably would require counsel for the company to reply to-morrow morning.