RELIEF WORKER’S DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 January 1933, Page 2

RELIEF WORKER’S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

[FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, January 12. An inquest concerning the death of James Pringle Allen, aged 32, who died from the effects of poisoning while he was being taken from Waitakere to the Auckland Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, was opened before the Coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt. Bruce Goodall, father of Florence Annie Goodall, aged 16, who was taken to hospital at the same time as Allen, gave evidence of identification. He said Allen had been in the Waitakere district for about 10 months, and was employed at the Returned Soldiers’ relief camp. Allen was living apart from his wife, and had three children. Witness was in the motor car in which Allen died on the way to the hospital. Following Goodaill/s evidence, t!{io inquiry was adjourned. A post mortem examination of Allen has been authorised.

Miss Goodall and Allen were taken in a car to the hospital after they had taken poisoned wine. It has been established by the police that Allen purchased a bottle of wine and a. flask of whisky at Huapai. He later went to Waitakere.

When a young brother of Miss Goodall reached the Goodall home there was a bottle of wine on the table. At Allen’s request the boy drank half a glass of wine and he was then sent on an errand. Returning, he was told by his sister that she had been given poison. Assistance was obtained by the boy.

Mr W. Simm, chairman of the Advisory Board of the New Zealand Federation of Drapers, Clothiers, and 800 l Retailers, at a recent meeting of the board reported that a member of the federation had informed him that tenders for the supply of certain uniforms had been invited from members of the trade, and the contract had finally been secured by the Salvation Army Auxiliary in competition with legitimate traders. It was resolved, “That the matter be brought to the notice of the Salvation Army Headquarters recalling the arrangement which had been made some years ago under which the Army had undertaken not to compete in ordinary trade activities.”