THE LATE DR. POTAKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 5 October 1936, Page 4

THE LATE DR.

POTAKA

CORONER’S VERDICT DECEASED’S FAREWELL MESSAGE Owing to the fact that David Mason, witness in the inquest into the death of Dr. L. H. Potaka, was in Nelson yesterday, advantage was taken by the Coroner, Mr T. E. Maunsell, to complete the inquest yesterday. After hearing' the evidence the Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died front morphine poisoning self-administered while in a state of deep mental depression. David Mason, farmer of Takaka, said he had known the deceased for about 18 months. On Wednesday, 30th September, deceased went and stayed at witness’s place, remaining there on that and the following night. He appeared to be worried, his chief worry being about his practice, his finance and his Court case with Dr. Bydder. On Friday morning witness left Takaka with Dr. Potaka to come into town to see Dr. Jamieson. On the way in Dr. Potaka repeatedly told Mason how worried he was. When they got to the top of the Takaka Hill deceased said: “Dave, I have got some paper here. I want to burn it.” Witness told him not to worry about it but he persisted, so they stopped and deceased put the papers on the ground and set fire to them. ’ Dr. Potaka went back towards the car and witness remained to see that they were properly burnt. He heard the door slam and when he got there the car had disappeared. He followed down the road and met a young fellow who told him that he had seen a yellow car go past, and on to Canaan. With Drummond and Campbell, witness went up the Canaan road and after a while they saw Dr. Potaka come out of the bush. He walked towards witness and called, “Dave, it’s no good, I’m finished.” Witness said, “Finished what?” He said, “I have taken a big dose of morphia.” Witness said, “What did you want to do that for?” He said, “I can’t help it Dave. Now I’m finished I’m going to have a rest.” Witness hurried him down to the doctor. Dr. Green met them at the bottom of the hill, gave Dr. Potaka some injections, and they went straight on to Nelson. About a mile from the bottom of the hill Dr. Potaka stopped talking and from then on he was unconscious. In the car he left a card, reading, “A hopeless position. Life just as impossible as death. L. H. Potaka.” On the back of the card was the following: “My good friends, forgive me. L.H.P.”