SUDDEN DEATH AT GIBBSTON.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3960, 12 August 1930, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH AT GIBBSTON.

Henry Bainbridge ,wlio had been living alone at Gibbston for the past two years ,died suddenly there on the night of the 3rd inst. The circumstances surrounding his death are disclosed in the report of the inquest ,which follows. The late Mr Bainbridge was a native of Durham, England, but most of his life had been spent in Canada. He had an adventurous time- in that country, where he was mining at Klondyke, and he had also engaged in the fur trade. He came to this district about four years ago. He was working on the irrigation race for a short time, but when the Kawarau dam gates were first ‘closed he obtained work in one of the river claims in the vicinity of Gibbston. Latterly he had been engaged in rabbiting and prospecting. He was 55 years of age, and had no relatives in New Zealand. A brother of' deceased’s holds an important position with the Canadian Pacific Bailway Co. The funeral took place at Arrowtown on Tuesday last, the burial service being conducted by the Rev. M. Jackson. THE INQUEST. An inquiry touching the circumstances surrounding the death of Henry Bainbridge was conducted by Mr D. F. Sutherland, district coroner, in the Courthouse, Arrowtown, on Tuesday morning last. Constable Pearce represented the police. Dr. W. B. 0. Ferguson, medical practitioner, said that 'he had seen deceased professionally in March laist, when, on examination, he had found a growth on the abdomen. Witness advised deceased to go to Cromwell Hospital for an X ray examination, which he did. Witness had heard afterwards that the X ray examination had disclosed the fact tha/t the growth was causing pressure on the main arfery. On examining the body after death he had found signs of hertfbrrhage from the mouth In ■witness’ opinion that denoted that there had been erosion of certain blood vessels ,which was the cause or the sudden death. Gerald Peter Enright , farmer, Gibbston, said that he knew the deceased, and had been in the habit of visiting him. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, 3rd inst., he had called to see him, and found him ill. He comjplained of pains. Witness went to the residence of Airs Kinross, who made some gruel for deceased. Accompanied by Air Thomas Kinross, witness returned to the hut. After taking the gruel ,deceased appeared to be better. They advised deceased to go to the hospital, Mr Kinross being prepared to motor him there. Deceased said he would wait until the following day. Witness and Air Kinross went back to see him later in the evening ,when they made up the fire and made him as comfortable as possible. They stayed until 10 p.m., when deceased told them that there was no occasion for staying any later,, and that he might be well in the morning. On the following morning at 8 o’clock witness Called at deceased’s hut and found him lying dead on his bed. He then informed the police. Witness understood that deceased was 55 years of age. Thomas Kinross ,fanner, Gibbston, corroborated the previous witness’ evidence as to what had happened on the Sunday evening. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.