AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1939, Page 6

AN INQUEST

DEATH OF THOMAS STICKLE

An inquest was opened at Westland Hospital on .September. 2 bv the Cum net, Mr A<. E. Benjamin, touelmig .the death of Thomas Stickle, the previous evening. William Hugh Stickle, a cycle dealiai t ’iiT:Hbkitika, gave evidence that the body the body the Coroner had Viewed with him was that of his father, Thomas Stickle, .a native of Green Is--land, Otago, and 70 years of age. He had last 4 seen his father alike about 1 o.m. on September 1, and ednsequent of’his complaining of being unwell, arranged to go with, him that evening to see a doctor. Next saw him at 6 p.m. He Was theii dead. His father had complained on different occasions of not feeling well and of pains in the stomach. Some time in April he had a fall and was an inmate of the hospital for ten days. Otherwise he had enjoyed fairly, good health and had been an active man in his younger days.

The inquest was then adjourned and was resumed this morning at the Magistrate's Court, Sergeant Gilligan representing, the police. ’’ Arthur William Yarrall, florist of; Revell Street, stated he had known de* ceased for, 30 years. Prior to four months ago he had enjoyed fairly good health. Since then' he had complained of pains in the chest. Had seen deceased almost daily. On September 1, at 9'a.m.., saw. him in his hut sitting before a fire fully dressed. He; said;-he had a bad: night and Jhad been sick and was. not feeling well. Took in a bowl of soup at 1 p.m. At 3.30 v p.m. saw deceased ini the hut. He said he had taken the soup and enjoyed it and that he was going to sefe a* doetori that evening. He 'said he was, not at all well. Did riot see him again; aliye. : ; James Millner, residing at Johnston’s Lane, Hokitika, stated lie lived next door to the deceased, Thomas Stickle, for about two years. In the last, few week's deceased had complained of the state of his health, of pains in the chest and shortness of breath. On September 1 saw him at 11.30 a.m, He was in his hut and said he was feeling bad after a bad night. Suggested he should see a doctor and he said he was going to that evening. Went to the hut about 3.30 p.m. but deceased was not there. Went again at 5,40 p.m. Deceased was sitting, on the bed with his head leaning against a wall and his feet on the floor. Spoke but he did not answer and found he was dead. Sent word to deceased’s son and the- doctor and present when they arrived.

Dr B. L. Wilson gave evidence ,of being called and visiting the deceased.’s home, where he found him dead on a bed, death having ensued a short time before. Next day he held a post mortem. He did not find any sighs of any externa] injury. body was that of a 1 well, nourished, elderly man. On examination of the organs found indications of an old ulcer in the stomach, and in the heart the blood vessels and valves were stiffened and calcareous,. The coronary arteries, supplying the heart muscles showed similar changes. There was a large pale clot of blood lying in the. chambers of tlie heart, and death would be due to heart failure, associated with the formation of the clot. The cause of the clot would be the poor circulation of the coronary arteries and this condition has been progressing forJyerirs. , Constable Harold McEachern gave evidence of being called to the hut of deceased. There' was rip .evidence of anystruggle having taken place. From appearances he concluded that the deceased had died from natural causes. Subsequently he made an external examination of 'the body and did riot find any visible marks of violence on it; .

The Coroner returned a verdict that Thomas Stickle died on, September 1. 1939. at his home, Jqhnstpn’s Lane, Hokitika, as the result of heart',failure.