“THIS IS THE END.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20710, 7 May 1929, Page 10

“THIS IS THE END.”

DEATH FROM POISON. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH. May 6. Mr H. A. Young, coroner, conducted an inquest at Lyttelton to-day into the death of David Smith. Dodds, who died at his residence, London street, Lyttelton, on Saturday night, under most unusual circumstoncees. David Wilson Dodds, son of the deceased, said he found his father lying on the floor fully dressed, except for his boots, and conscious. Witness asked his father what he was doing there, and his father -replied that he was dying. Witness told him to get up, and that there was nothing wrong with him. He said this because bis father had often, while under the influence of liquor, carried on in a similar manner. His father told him that he had poisoned the sugar, tea, butter, and other food, and told witness to “ dump ” them. His father had dozens of times threatened to commit suicide. They used to take his father’s threats seriously, but got used tp them. His father even used to pretend to prepare poison. His father had been drinking for years, and in witness’s opinion had not been sane for years. Henrietta Louisa. Dodds, wife of deceased, aid her husband had been drinking on Saturday, and was nervous and excited. He kept walking in and out, then he came in with a bottle, threw it into the fire, and said it was the end. He went out again ~nd returned. After taking his boots off he fell’over. Witness sent for the doctor, and showed him the bottle. Witness asked her husband if he had taken poison, 'and he said “ No.” She heard him say he had poisoned the food. Witness could sec the poison over the cake and knives and forks and in the tea. He had frequently threatened to commit suicide during the past eight years. He kept denying that he had taken poison. Witness and her husband had been separated for a time, but she took him back three months ago. A hoarder stated that he ls iv Dodds about 9 o’clock with the poison bottle in bis hand. Dodds stood at the door and poured some of the contents of the bottle into his hand, threw the bottle into the fire ,and walked outside. Dodds re-, turned ten minutes later. Shortly afterwards he fell, arid witness saw slight twitchings of the limbs. He brought the doctor, who remained a few minutes, and said he did not think there was anything wrong with him, and that he was “ only putting it on.” Later the doctor was again called in, but Dodds was tben dead. To the coroner: When Dodds first fell he said “ This is the end.” Both the doctor and the constable stated that the deceased denied taking poison when questioned. His pulse and colour had been good, and there was no evidence of spasms. Five bottles of poison were found at the deceaseo’s business premises. The coroner said he would find that deceased died from the effects of poison, self-administered, whilst of unsound mind.