A MYSTERIOUS DEATH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 31

A MYSTERIOUS DEATH.

ALLEGED MURDER. CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS. AUCKLAND, August 21. About 1 o’clock on Saturday morning an old man named James Poulton, who kept a boarding-house known as Portico Villa, in Wellesley street West, died suddenly. In connection with his death, some mysterious allegations have been, made to the effect that death was the result of a murderous attack by two mysterious strangers who visited the house just hefore the death of Poulton. The latter, who was seventy-four years of age, had suffered from paralysis, and was not in good health. Dr Murphy, who had medically attended the deceased, was called in after death, and would have given a certificate to the effect that the cause of death was paralysis, but in view of the allegations made he has not given a certificate; A post-mortem examination has been ordered by the Coroner t and an inquest will be held to-day. The allegations made are to the effect that two men visited the house about 1 a.m. on Saturday and gained admittance ; that a scuffle was heard during which blows were struck, and that this was followed by a moan. Immediately afterwards, according to the story, two men left the house, aif& the old man Poulton was discovered in a dying condition, passing away a few minutes later: This statement, made by a boarder in the house, is, however, flatly contradicted by other inmates of the place. ...ns Primrose states that the deceased was about seventy-four years of age. She heard him call, “Annie, get m© some water.” She procured waier. and

went into Ms room, giving him a drink, and bathing his temples. She stayed •with hfm probably till between 1 and 2 on the Saturday morning. The man then declared that he was going to die, and shortly afterwards did die. She Bent for a dootor, but none came. Then Dr Murphy came later cn in the morning. The deceased had been under Dr Murphy's care for the past twelve months for paralysis, having had two strokes. The deceased was seized with another stroke just before death. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. AUCKLAND, August 21. The circumstances surrounding the death of Poulton were inquired into by the Coroner this afternoon, and the. evidence > adduced has certainly added to Hie mystery of the affair.

Dr T. Girdler stated that he made an inspection of the body.. The inspection afforded him (witness) no indication of the cause of death, and he was then directed to make an autopsy. He considered that the man died slowly, and this was evidenced by the small quantity of blood in the organs. It would he possible for deceased to have been gasping for some time prior to death. There was nothing whatever to indicate foul play. The cause of death was failure of an enlarged and fatty heart, accelerated by congestion of the lungs and kidneys. Any shock such as a blow or fall would have caused death, especially as deceased wavs paralysed.

Dr. Murphy stated that he had attended deceased for about two years, When deceased first consulted him he (deceased) had a stroke of paralysis on the right side. Witness was called to the house occupied by deceased on Saturday morning at about 10 o’clock. Inspected the body, and found no marks of violence. He then said that either he or his colleague tDr Brockway) would give a certificate. TTp to that

time no mention of shook or disturbance was made to witness. Deceased was really on the verge of death at any moment. On Saturday evening witness was called up to the police station and told of some suggestion of violence. He, therefore, declined to give a certificate of death. The body presented no appearance of any struggle having taken place. Mrs Charlotte McPike then gave evidence. She stated that her husband was a carter in Westport. She had been residing in deceased’s house for j about two month®. During that time J he seemed in good health and spirits, j Deceased had been slightly paralysed, and walked with a stick. On the night of his death witness went to her room , and remained there, lying on the bed without undressing. She fell asleep, I and was aroused by hearing knocks at j

her window about half-past 10. She saw two men outside, and they asked far rooms. She could see the men quire plainly, and had already given their description to the police. She told them to go to the main entrance and knock. They went away. Later on witness heard two men walk into the passage, and ask for Mrs Primrose. She recognised their voices as these ‘ of the two previous visitors. That was about midnight. She heard Mrs Poselthwaite say that Mrs Primrose was in bed, and could not be seen. Poult on then came out of hie room, and asked, “What are you doing in my house at this hour of night?” One of the men replied, “What has that got to do with you. We want a room.” Deceased told him to go out, and they refused to go. Deceased than said, “ I will put you out.” To which one of the men replied, “ You. can’t do it.” Poulton then said, “I will get. someone to put you out.” Witness then heard the men walking into Poulton’s room, and they seemed to be pushing Poulton in front of them. Mr and Mrs Poesel-

thwait© went into their own room. They must have heard the disturbance. Witness did not see any struggle, but could hear it all plainly. Witness only heard ono man’s voice. up to this time, and it was the same voice that had spoken to her when the men called earlier in the night. Witness heard Foulton say when he and the other men were in the room, “ Get out of this.” Some swearing followed, and then she heard Poulton’s voice saying, “ What! You would strike me, would you ? Don’t strike me.” At this time witness had her head against the wall, just the other side of the partition, of deceased’s room, and the men inside were then only about a foot from her. She heard one of the men walk out, and just after she heard the other, whose voice she recognised, say, “ Take that, you old She then

heard a blow, and also heard Poulton fall back. Poulton never spoke after that. Hearing the man who had remained in the room go outside, she went to her window, and saw him go down the pathway to the gate where the other man was standing. The man at the gate, whose voice she then heard for the first time, said, “ Did you settle him?” The other replied. “I think I have dene for him.” The Coroner: We understand Mrs Primrose’s evidence is that she remained with deceased from half-past 10 till the time of his death ?—Witness : That s not true. Poulton’s room was entered through Mrs Primrose’s room, and I went round after seeing the men go up towards Hobson street, and I found her door looked. I knocked, and she opened it. The old man was lying on the floor with only a shirt on, and that was disarranged. I felt for his pulse, and found that he was dead. Mrs Primrose said, “ No, he’s only fainted,” and went to call Mi's Posselthwaite, wh o seenv ed very excited, and called, out, I won’t have anything to do with it. It

was them that did it.” Mr Posselthwaite oame into the room then, and seeme® also excited, saying he wanted to fight whoever did it. Death occurred about 1 o’clock.

The Coroner: When did you first tell anybody of what you have told us to-day?—l thought that those in the house would tell the police. I said to them, “The wisest plan is for you to inform the police.” I then went to my room, and went to. sleep. I was aroused at 3 o’clock by Mrs Denham, who came to my door, and said, “Mr Poulr ton is dead.” I replied, “Of course, he is. I told you so.” Mrs Primrose, Mrs Denham and Mr Posselthwait© were there then, and they had been drinking. Mrs Posselthwaite and her son, aged about twelve years, must have alsd heard all that took plaoe. Mrs Prim-

rose had been drinking during the week, and was under the influence of liquor on the night of Poulton’s death. Deceased never drank. At this stage the inquest was adjourned till Monday next, the Coroner remarking that there was much more in . this caß© than had appeared at first, and the police ought to be allowed time to make further inquiries. At the adjourned inquest on Monday the evidence of Mrs McPikse will be resumed, and the testimonies of Mrs Primrose and boarders who were in the house at the time of death be taken. Mrs Primrose flatly contradicts Mrs MoPike’s evidence, and declares that there was no assault whatever, and no interview with hwo men in Poulton’s room. So far, nothing in corroboration of Mrs McPike’s statements has been discovered by the police.