Inquest.

Manawatu Standard, 29 July 1904, Page 2

Inquest.

r ii we wen* to press yesterday, the following evidence was beard in connectooni with the death of the late Jas. Mullins:—

Alfred Cook, clerk, Palmerston, said ! he last saw deceased on; the railway station three weeks ago. when the latter was going to Foxton; Yesterday witness was informed by telephone from Foxton that, deceased had not been there for over aiortnight. Witness informed the police of the circumstance. Deceased was_very abstemious, and an honourable straightforward man. He was very regular and steady iv his habits. : He had remarked oh eeveral occasions during the ;.past "twelve .months to witness' Bister that she was not to be surprised if he was '"missing one of these days." The remaks worem.de m a jocular spirit, however. - Thomas Griggs, lessee of Warburfcoa's buildings, said deceased had occupied two rooms in the building for the past twelve months, He kept his bed in a far corner of the bedroom. Witness last saw him alive last Saturday week 16th instant. Witness, with Constable De Lcrao, effected an entrance to the bedroom yesterday. There was an overpowering smell of gas when the door was forced. Deoeased was lyj Dj { full length on the bed, which had beoh polled into ihe middle of the room. His head was about two. feet from the' ga* jet and there was apiece of indiirubber tubing, 26 inches long, from tbe jet to the deoeased's mouth. The gas was turned full on.

Percival Mattson, musician, Palmerston, said that deceased had remarked to him on more than one occasion that ' life was not worth living unless one was well-to-do." Did not think he did a big business in Palmerston but lie did fairly well between Palmerston and hoxton. He had been in the colony ii y ne years and was *faoufc 31 years old. He was reserved and did not mx in society. Walter Dixon, music seller, Palmerston, gave evidence as to calling daily at deceased's rooms after the. 21st inst., about some violins, and had been told deceased was in Foxton. Called at the rooms on Wednesday and left a note. (Produced). ■ Constable De Loree said he visited deceased's rooms at four o'clock yesterday afternoon. The doors were locked and witness went for Mr Griggs and the doorwas forced. Witness corroborated Mr Griggs evidence as to the state of the room and the quantity of the gas in the room also m the general details as given by the former witness. Witness added the left nostnl had been plugged with wool the blinds tacked to the . window frame. Sacking had also been placed against tho window In looking for papers, etc., witness said he found the following letter in a drawer in the kitchen :—<> Many people hearing of my fate will no doubt Boy 'It was - lolly good job, it was the best thine be could have done; ho wasn't much use anyway, etc , etc' In this I quite agree with them, but hope none of them will ever be as unfortunate as I. To those friends who have shown some interest and have done me kindness, I say coodbye. (Signed) J. M." JS Continuing, witness said from the remains in the fireplace deceased had evidently burnt bis papers. His bank book showed a credit of £22. •A--:°_ >k _3Dd B' Mattson, recalled, identified the letter as being in the handwriting of deceased. A comparison of the signature on the letter with the signature in the bank book left no doubt as to the writing being deoeased's. A perusal oft he bank book showed that in January, 1903, deceased had a credit of £60. He had been withdrawing practically ever since. A verdict that deceased died from asphyxiation caused by ooal gas, selfadministered duriag a fit of cemporarv insanity, was returned.