DEATH OF MR. W. A. THOMSON

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8556, 2 May 1891, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. W. A. THOMSON

CORONER'S INQ UEST.

We regret to have to announce that Mi' W. A. Thomson, manager of the Auckland, branch of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, died early yesterday morning, on board the steamer Clansman, during the voyage from Russell to town. Mr. Thomson left Auckland about a fortnight ago, apparently in his usual good health, for the purpose of transacting some business in connection with the Society in the neighbourhood of Russell. The first intimation received by his family in town that he was, ill was by means of a telegram on Saturday last, asking Mrs. Thompson to come down to him, as he was very ill. Dr. Bakewell was travelling with him at the time, and strongly urged that he should remain with him for a day or two, but deceased would not hear of it, and insisted on the doctor pushing on, leaving him behind at Russell. Mrs. Thomson went to him on the following Monday, and as ho showed continued signs 'of improvement, it was decided to bring him to town by the steamer, leaving Russsell on Thursday evening. However, on the passage up he sank rapidly, and died shortly after two o'clock yesterday morning. Mr. Thompson was 59 years of age, and had been in the colonies for about 32 years. He had been for some time conneoted with the Australian Mutual Provident Association, and subsequently started the New Zealand Accident Insurance Association. When the Equitable Assurance Society commenced operations in Auckland Mr. Thomson was chosen to | act as manager, which position be retained until his death. The deceased gentleman leaves a wife, four sons, and two daughters, for whom great sympathy will be felt in their bereavement by a wide circle of friends.

At half-past two yesterday afternoon Dr. Philson, coroner, held an inquest into the circumstances of deceased's death, at Gleeson's Hotel, when the following evidence was elicited :—

Percy Thomson deposed that he was an insurance clerk, residing at Mount Albert. Deceased was his father, and manager of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, at Auckland. Ho was 59 years of ago. He was born in London, and had been 32 years in Australia and New Zealand. He generally had very good health, bub four or five years ago he was treatsd for varicose veins by Drs. Kenderdine and Haines, but no operation was performed. Deceased went to Russell on insurance business on April '20. He appeared to be at that time in his usual good health. On Saturday last witness received a telegram from deceased stating, " Very ill. Hcemorrhage of the lung. Mother to come by Monday's steamer, to return with me on Thursday." Witness wired back to say that his mother would do as requested in the telegram. Accordingly his mother went on Monday and sent witness a telegram on the 28th instant as follows " Been bad. Better to-day. It is caused through accident. Hopeful." On the 29th another telegram arrived—"Far better ; bleeding ceased. Meet Clansman seven Friday morming with cab and two pillows." 11© also received a telegram on the 30th, stating that deceased was a little better, and was coming to town by the Clansman. Witness went to meet oho boat that morning, and was informed that his father had died on the way up. He went on board and found that such was the case. Witness's mother was present when deceased died, but was unable to attend at the inquest, being very weak. Witness believed the deceased's life was insured. He had made a will some years back. Witness was told by his mother that deceased had informed her that he was holding hi 3 horse, when the latter pulled back suddenly and strained him inwardly. Captain Farquhaf deposed that he was captain of the Clansman. He had known deceased for many years. Deceased had gone down with him on the 20th, being accompanied by Dr. Bakewell as medical referee on insurance business. He seemed then in the best of health. On Thursday last witness was asked by Mrs. Thomson if he could make her husband comfortable on board, as he was very ill. Witness took him on board, feeling sure at the time that he could not last long. Everything possible was .done for his comfort. Ho, however rapidly sank, and died very quietly early yesterday morning, while the steamer was off Point Rodney. Constable Mathieson deposed to taking charge of the body. Dr. Cremonini deposed that he only knew deceased by sight. He had made a post mortem examination, and found the external appearance of the body to be jaundiced, which he attributed to internal disease. There were no marks of violence. He found a considerable quantity of fluid, tinged with blood, in both pleura. The right lung was quite solid, and contained no air. The left lung was adhering to the ribs, and the base broke down on an attempt being made to remove it. The condition was one of extreme congestion. The heart was healthy, but theaorta was blocked. He considered that death resulted from disease of lungs and liver. His illness may have been brought on by exposure to the cold.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that " Deceased died naturally of tubercular disease of the lungs and liver."