FOUND DEAD IN FLAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20960, 25 August 1931, Page 11

FOUND DEAD IN FLAT.

FATE OF MARRIED MAN. OPENING OF INQUEST. An inquest concerning the death of Mr. Harold Clement Poole, aged 40. who was found dead in his Sat in Park Road. Grafton, on Sunday morning, was opened before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., coroner, vesterdav afternoon.

Lucy Lilian Poole,, widow of deceased, said that when she discovered her husband dead in his bedroom there was a decided smell of escaping gas from the gas ere in the room. The fire had never been used bv either deceased or witness. Deceased bad been in the best of health, but. owing to a severe cold, he had lost bis sense of smell.

Thomas Watson, senior inspector for the Auckland Gas Company, Limited, said he had examined the gas tire, which was properly installed. Witness found that the flue had been tightly packed with a newspaper, thereby blocking ail ventilation and the natural escape of gas fumes. The newspaper was dated June, 1929, and had apparently been in the flue some time. As the paper was not scorched it was obvious the fire had not been used recently. In witness opinion the paper had been placed m the flue to prevent draught. Recalled, Mrs. Poole said that as she and her husband had resided in the flat for only a few months the newspaper must have been put in the flue by a previous tenant. At this stage the inquest was adjourned until this afternoon. A post-mortem examination is being made.