WIRELESS EQUIPMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22101, 3 November 1933, Page 6

WIRELESS EQUIPMENT

CLOTHES LINE ELECTRIFIED WOMAN SUCCUMBS TO SHOCK (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 2. A verdict that death was due to electric shock arid fatty degeneration of the heart was returned by the coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt) at the inquest concerning the death of Caroline Lilian Mason, who died on October 12. Mrs Mason was found lying in the backyard of her home where she had been hanging out clothes. Stephen Langridge, overseer for the Public Works Department, said he examined the premises occupied by Mrs Mason. - In a back room he found a small wireless set fitted with head phones and arranged for connecting with a lighting socket by a length of flex and a lamp holder adapter. Direct connection with 1-20 cotton-covered wire had been made between a clothes line in the backyard and the terminal part of the wireless set. This terminal was also connected with the end of the flex cord and lamp holder adapter. The full voltage was obtainable between the clothes line and the earth when the adapter w r as inserted in the lighting socket.

A neighbour, Effie Cant, said that when she went to Mrs Mason’s assistance she received an electric shock through touching the clothes line and her arm ached for a considerable time afterwards.

David Kennedy, baker’s agent, said he found the, deceased lying on her back with a wet blanket hanging from a clothes line partly across her arm. When he touched the clothes line he received a shock.

Dr Gilmour, pathologist at the Auckland Hospital, said he found two burns on the deceased’s left arm. His opinion was that death was caused by an electric shock and fatty degeneration of the heart.

The coroner said that he did not think there was any need for him to add a rider as sufficient publicity had been given by the authorities and the Power Board concerning illegal interference with electric equipment. He added, however,, that he .was given to understand that at schools there were classes conducted by social welfare people at which .pupils were instructed in the art of making model aeroplanes and wireless sets. He expressed a strong hope that pupils would be severely cautioned not to touch or interfere with electric lighting plant in any way.