AGED WOMAN'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20244, 2 May 1929, Page 16

AGED WOMAN'S DEATH.

INQUIRY BY CORONER.

DENIAL GIVEN TO RUMOUR

VERDICT OF NATURAL CAUSE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORttESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Wednesday. Rumours concerning the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Eales, aged 76, of Somerset Street, Frankton, who died at her homo on March 24, were responsible for an inquest held before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., coroner, at Hamilton to-day. Evidence was given by Detective ,1. White that the death of Mrs. Eales was reported to the police on March 25 by Dr. F. D. Pinfold, who had attended her. The body was then removed to tho Waikato Hospital for examination. Tests were made by a Government analyst to discover traces of poisoning, but had given a negative return. Dr. Pinfold said he was summoned to attend deceased at her home on November 5, 1928. He later asked a nurse who was attending Mrs. Eales to leave, and another nurse came in her place. There were two more nurses who attended Mrs. Eales. He made these changes because he knew remarkes were being made outside that all was not above board, and ho knew from tho old-age symptoms of. the patient that such remarks were likely to be made. Witness was in no doubt as to the nature of deceased's complaint, judging from thes symptoms. Ho had, however, called in Dr. E. T. Rogers, of Hamilton, whose diagnosis had confirmed his own. The'general condition of the patient was in accord with an age of 76 years or more. Although not present at Mrs. Eales' death ho was informed of it either the same night or next morning. He had decided it was bettor not to give a certificate. During the few weeks previous to Mrs. Eales' death her strength had been declining. In December, however, lie thought there was a chance that she might recover. Dr. A. G. Waddell presented the report of his post-mortem examination of the body to the. coroner. Tho cause of death had been heart failure, arising from senile decav.

In giving his verdict the coroner said he had caused an examination fo be made by an analyst, because it had been reported to him by the police that there were various rumours as to the cause of death. It was in order to allay suspicion that, he bad taken such steps. The inquiries seemed to show that the remarks were without foundation.

The post-mortem examination showed arterial degeneration and a weak heart, said tho coroner. No trace of poisoning was found. lie found that tho cause of death was heart failure consequent upon arterial degeneration.