TRAGIC MISTAKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20768, 10 January 1931, Page 10

TRAGIC MISTAKE.

POISON DRUNK FOR WINE.

* • • ERROR IN THE DARKNESS.

PIONEER'S SAD DEATH.

"I am sure that everyone will regret the passing 01 a pioneer under such tragic circumstances," observed the coroner, Mi. A. J- Graham, at the inquest at Palmerston North on Thursday on Mr. James Mowlcin, who died suddenly at his residence on Monday night. A verdict that deceased died from misadventure was re-

turned. Mrs, Kv.i Poole, (laughter of the deceased, said that, on the night of January 5 she was staying at Mr. Mowlcm's house. Her father frequently rose at

night when restless, and could not rest until he had obtained relief. Shortly before 11 p.m. ho went to seek a drink of wine, but mistook a bottlo and drank

poison. Tho bottle ol poison, witness said, was usually kept in a shed near some ginger beer, which her father often took when lie was gardening. Ihe poison bottlo had been taken inside, so that ho should not mistake the bottles. The. wine bottle, which was in the pantry, whore there was no light, was similar to tho poison bot tie. Li returning his verdict the coroner said that the case was clearly one of misadventuro. Tho shock of discovory, and deceased's condition, acting on a .system already oufeobled by age, had resulted in death