ELDERLY MAN’S DEATH

Grey River Argus, 21 October 1943, Page 4

ELDERLY MAN’S DEATH

-— — INQUEST AT GREYMOUTH. An inquest concerning the death of Joseph Kinster Johnson, aged 71 who was found dead last Saturday at his home in Nelson Street, was concluded yesterday at. Greymouth before the' Coroner, Mr. G. G. Chisholm. Dr. H. S. Ray, said that he examined the body on October 17. 'There was nothing in its appearance to suggest that death was not due to natural causes. He considered that death had occurred not less than five days before, and that its cause was heart failure. Mrs. My-ra Ivy Bierwirth, of Christchurch, a step-daughter of Johnson, said that up to October 4 last she had lived with him at Greymouth. When she and her husband moved to Christchurch her step-father decided to remain and live in Greymouth. He had always enjoyed good health, and to her knowledge had never required medical attention for any illness, in the last letter from him, dated October 10, he had no complaints and wrote that he was quite happy. Constable A. E. K. Keown said that as a result of information received that Johnson had not been seen about his home for a few days he went to his residence with Constable Cloake last Saturday evening. They found Johnson dead in bed. He had died in his sleep. There was nothing about the room to suggest that his death was other than a natural one. The Coroner returned a verdict, in accordance with the medical evidence, that Johnson died at Greymouth on or about October 12 last, death being due to natural causes, probably heart, failure.