A VERY SUDDEN DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 5

A VERY SUDDEN DEATH.

An old and respected resident of Auckland, named John Goodman, died in a remarkably sudden and unexpected manner yesterday, at his residence in Scotia Place, off Upper Queen-street. Mr. Goodman was 72 years of age, and had been employed as a gardener for many years past. He was a native of Cornwall, England, and had been married for about fifty years, and had resided in the colony for the last nineteen years. He loaves a widow and several grown up children, including Mr. S. Goodman, the well-known local athlete. According bo the statement of Mrs. Goodman, deceased had complained of nob being well for the last week or so, bub was able to attend to his work. He seemed well on retiring to bed at nine o'clock on Wednesday night. Mrs. Goodman got up at six o'clock yesterday morning, and called deceased at about eight, as breakfast was then ready. He laughed, but said nothing, and immediately afterwards he commenced to groan. Mrs. Goodman ran for water, and bathed his head, but he died in a few minutes. Dr. Coom was sent for, but, of course, could do nothing. Deceased had been at his usual work on Wednesday, and did not complain in the evening. Some time ago one of his sons advised him to see a doctor, but he thought it was unnecessary, and that he would soon be right again. Dr. Coom, nob having previously attended Goodman, could not certify as to the cause of death, and therefore an inquest was held yesterday afternoon, beforo Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury of six. Ib was thought quite unnecessary to hold a post mortem examination. Dr. Coom, in his evidence, stated that he believed that deceased died from heart disease, which appeared to run in the family. He appeared to have passed away very peacably. After hearing the evidence of Mrs. Goodman and other witnesses the jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.