SUDDEN DEATH.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1921, 15 May 1913, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH.

MR LOUIS DE PELICHET. Hastings, May 13. The sudden and unexpected death of Mr Louis de Pelichet, which took place this morning came as a great shock to the commercial community, among whom the deceased gentleman was widely respected. Mr de Pelichet, who was unmarried, boarded at the Pacific Hotel, and at about 7 o'clock this morning one of the housemaids employed at the hotel, on entering his bedroom to give him morning tea, was horrified to find his dead body lying on the bedside partially clothed. Mr de Pelichet had been receiving medical attention for some time from Dr. Wilson for heart trouble, and it. is surmised that he was overcome By a sudden seizure whilst undressing last evening. He retired to his bedroom, as usual, about 11 p.m., and to all appearances was then in his usual health.

Mr L. de Pelichet was the only son of the late Mr de Pelichet, who arrived in New Zealand in the early days, and engaged in surveying in the Taranaki district. He was born in Taranaki sixty-one years ago, and, with the exception of a few years, his life has been spent in the Hawke's Bay district. For many years he was manager of his mother's station at Mangatarata.and some seven years ago he entered into the partnership with Messrs J. S. McLeod and C. H. Cato, in the name of'de Pelichet, McLeod and Co., merchants and woolbrokers. In the racing arena he has been a very prominent figure, having been for many years treasurer to the Hawke's Bay jockey Club, a position which he held at the time of his death. The deceased gentleman's widowed mother was married to the late Mr Donald Gollan of Mangatarata, so that Mr Spencer Gollan is the late Mr de Pelichet's half-brother.

Flags were flying at half-mast from many of the buildings of private firms in Hastings and Napier to-day as a mark of respect to deceased's memory.