AUCKLAND TRAGEDY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11736, 25 January 1924, Page 11

AUCKLAND TRAGEDY

~ A CHEMIST „ ifISATH. VERDICT OF SUICIDE. (Special to “New Zealand Times.”)^ Th 9 adjourned inquest on the body ot John Hugh Crawford, who was recently found dead in bed at the Tramway Terminus Boardinghouse, Onehunga, was continued before the district coroner, Mr D. A. Sutherland. Sergeant Cruiekshank represented the police. The evidence showed that deceased had purchased a small bottle of irritant poison on Sunday, between 6.30 and 7 p.m. He retired at 9 p.m., Sunday, as usual. During the night his roommate, Mr H. P. Burgess, heard him get up and go out of the room, and a little later return and get into bed. Nothing more .was heard, and when Mr Burgess woke at 7 the next morning he could see that Crawford was dead. The police were informed, and on searching the room found the bottle, which contained about one-third, of the poison, under deceased’s pillow. Dr. W. H. Thomas, who made a postmortem examination, stated that there were no signs of external violence, the month showed signs of burning by caustic, or some strong acid, and the whole inner lining of the stomach was extensively burnt, the first part of the intestine being burnt through all its scats. The liver was markedly congested. and shewed signs of recent alcoholism, and that deceased had swallowed some caustic or strong acad which had caused his death. The condition of the stomach was consistent with the taking of poison, and the odour of the stomach showed this. The verdict was that Crawford had died from carbolic poisoning, self administered. Deceased was a fully qualified chemist, and had been employed by Mr T« C. Turnbull, chemist, for a short while, but had been dismissed on account or his drinking habits. As far as could be ascertained'. Crawford had no relatives in New Zealand, in fact he had stated that his father and mother were dead, his brothers had been killed Ml the war, and he had no relatives anywhere.