ELDERLY MAN'S DEATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23731, 11 February 1939, Page 5

ELDERLY MAN'S DEATH

BODY FOUND IN PAVILION VERDICT OF SUICIDE The body of Jose da Costa, a resident of Port Chalmers for the past 60 years, was found in the pavilion of the Port Chalmers Bowling Club yesterday morning by the greenkeeper, Mr A. P. Pratley. The deceased held in his hand a tube leading from a gas tap, and the gas, which was turned on full, was playing on his face. Mr Pratley summoned the police, who called in Dr Edgar, and the latter was able to state that death had taken place about six or seven hours previously. An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Port Chalmers before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., as coroner, Sergeant T. Johnston representing the police. Evidence of identification was given by Gilbert R. Lawson, a nephew of the deceased, who stated that the latter had been in ill-health for some time. Dr Edgar and Arthur Philip Pratley gave evidence relating to the finding of the body. J. W. Patton, a brother-in-law of the deceased, stated that da Costa had seen him the previous day, and had appointed him sole executor of his will. David A. W. Middleton said the deceased had left his hotel at Port Chalmers about 9.30 p.m. on Thursday, and subsequently a note had been found on a table stating, " My insides are in a very bad way and complicated. Why suffer all for nothing in the end? So, good-bye." The note was signed with the deceased's initials, J. D. C. A verdict that death was due to asphyxiation by coal-gas poisoning self-administered while in a state of ill-health was returned by the coroner. The deceased, who was 72 years of age, was a native of Portugal, and came to Port Chalmers as brass boy on the Union Company's steamer Penguin. He served an apprenticeship as a sailmaker in the employ of the Union Company, and continued to reside at Port Chalmers for the rest of his life..