DOUBLE INQUEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 273, 18 October 1932, Page 10

DOUBLE INQUEST

AUCKLAND TRAGEDY. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Oct. 17. The double inquest concerning tho death of George Macfarlane, aged 80, of Mount Albert, and his housekeeper, Miss Emily Constance Chappell, aged 45, was concluded before'Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., to-day. Miss Chappell died in the Auckland Hospital on October 6 following an attack made upon her with a tomahawk by Macfarlane. The death of Macfarlane, who after tho attack on the woman was found with his throat cut, occurred on October 9.

Evidence at the inquest was given by Dr Aubin, who had attended Macfarlane. ‘.‘Macfarlane was treated by me for rheumatic fever, from which he had previously suffered,” said witness. “Under the treatment the rheumatic fever had been cured and for three weeks before October 6 he seemed to bo improving rapidly as far as his general health was concerned. Nurse Howard was placed in charge of the patient by me. Macfarlane was inclined to be a little rambling in his speech at times, especially at nights, although during my visits he appeared quite rational.

“During the latter few days he had complained to the nurse that his housekeeper, Miss Chappell, was trying to poison him, and as a precaution I put on another nurse. These nurses were in charge of Macfarlane on the night of October 5. Macfarlane had never given any indication that he was suicidal or had any intention of using violence against any other person.” Nurse Greta Howard said Macfarlane was in fairly weak, condition and eccentric -when she arrived somo days before October 6. Ho took a decided “set” against his housekeeper and complained that she was poisoning jbjs food. Witness described the attack on Miss Chappell on the following morning and the finding of Macfarlane a little later with throat injuries. “It is a very sad case,” remarked the Coroner. “I must find that this unfortunate woman, Emily Constance Chappell, died, at the Auckland Hospital on October 6, the cause of her death being wounds inflicted by a patient, George Macfarlane, when in a state of insanity. In connection with Macfarlane, I find that lie committed suicide by cutting his throat while insane.”