SUDDEN DEATH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8539, 6 July 1889, Page 3

SUDDEN DEATH.

Mr William Simpson, grocer, was found dead, or almost so, yesterday morning, behind the counter of his grocery establishment, at the corner of Dundas and-Great Kingsterets. An

•INQUEST ■was herd on his remains by Kr Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whota Mr Thomas Johnston was chosen foreman, at the Annandale Hotel, «Breat King street, in the afternoon, when the following evidence was adduced :— Dr Maunsell deposed that !» was called at about 9.30 to see the deceased, and on arrival Sound him quite dead. Tfce body was warm, and it was evident that he was just dead. Witness made an external examination of the body and found no marks ot violence. Deceased was lying an a pool of kerosene. There was a Sffifcll tin lying on the floor with which he hud apparently been measuring it out. Witness had never attended deceased before, and did tiofc suspect that death arose from other than natural causes. Men of deceased's age often went ofi suddenly. Jane Simpson, the tffte of deceased, said her husband -was born in Dublin, and had been ie Hew Zealand for about 27 years. He was a bricklayer and stonemason by trade, bat they carried on a grocery business at the corner 'of Dundas and King streets. Witness last saw .deceased about a quarter-past 7, when got ap 8s usual before her to prepare breakfast, and. was then in his usual health. He had htd a bad cough for some time, but it was ■easier. He had not had a doctor for many years. He complained of a tightness across the chest a fe« days before. His age was 74 years. Witness remained in bed till about 20 minutes past 3, when she cime down stairs. The breakfast was prepared as usual, but witness did not see deceased until she went into the shop, thinking she had heard someone knock. She saw decensad otretched on the floor behind the counter. The shop door was, open. A woman came in tor •some things, and said she thought deceased was ,in a fit. Dr Maunsell came arout half an hour 3;f terwards. There was a pool of kerosene on tie floor, but noting was disturbed In the shop, nor did witness miss any money. Witness had no suspicion thkt deceased was Buffering from heart disease, hut he waß a good deal troubled with phlegm about the chest. Evidenoe w s aho gv\>en by Annie Mathieeon and D Catchpole. A verdict of " Oied irosa natural oauses " was returned. __