BLACKBALL MAN’S DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 August 1940, Page 2

BLACKBALL MAN’S DEATH

inquest Finding.

A verdict that the cause of death was heart failure, brought on by overexertion, was returned by the Coroner, Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M., at the inquest held at Blackball on Wednesday, concerning the death of James Henry Boag, 44, who was found dead in a right-of-way near his home in Main Road, Blackball, on the night of August 12. Constable R. M. Walden, of Blackball, said that he was the last person to have seen deceased alive, at about 8.30 p.m., on August 12, when he was assisting deceased to drive home a young bull that. had strayed and which was deceased’s property. Deceased then appeared to witness to be in his usual health. The animal jumped the fence and set off across country, with deceased running after it, in the dark. Witness did not follow as he could not see the direction they went, and as deceased did not return he (witness) went home. It would appear that deceased collapsed and died after over-exertion caused through pursuing the bull. Witness produced a copy of a telegram received from the Social Security Department, Wellington, advising that deceased was pensioned for heart disease, and when he was last examined, in 1923, the heart was enlarged. Ralph Vaughan Glasson, apiarist, of Blackball, brother-in-law of deceased, gave evidence of identification. He said that deceased was a returned soldier, and since his discharge from the Army in 1919 had been in receipt of a war invalidity pension. He was discharged the Army owing to illness contracted on active service. It was some years since he was actually attended by a doctor, but witness knew that of late he was not in the best of health. He was badly gassed at the war, and that had affected his heart and eyesight. Harry Marsden, a retired goldminer, said that he resided in a hut at the rear of deceased’s residence. At about 10.30 p.m. on August 12 he was returning home when he found deceased lying on his back in the right-of-way near his home. Witness attempted to lift him up ( and then found that he was dead. With the assistance of a neighbour, witness carried deceased to his home and a doctor was sent for. Dr. B. H. S. Aylward, of Blackball, said that he was summoned to deceased at 10.45 p.m. He examined deceased and found life extinct, witness was of the opinion that death had occurred some hours I 'before. He had not attended deceased, and was unable to give a certificate stating the cause of death. The Coroner returned a verdict, as stated.