ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24221, 13 February 1940, Page 11

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

ACCOUNTANT’S DEATH SHOTGUN BESIDE BODY (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Feb. 12. Robert Paul, an accountant, aged 24, was found in a house in Miromiro road, Normandale, to-day, with head injuries, apparently caused by a shotgun, which was found beside him. He died on the way to the hospital. MAN FOUND DEAD HEAD IN GAS OVEN (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Feb. 12. The body of Elwyn John Adams, married, aged 31, was found to-day at No. 17 Esplanade, Petone. His head was in a gas oven. GIRL DEAD IN BATH FATHER’S TRAGIC DISCOVERY ' (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Feb. 12. Grace Rosalie Burch, aged 13. was found dead in the bath at her home. 40 Happy Valley road, on Saturday evening. She attended the Salvation Army picnic during the day. When found bv her father, who had to break open the bathroom door, she was on her knees, with her face under the water. The girl is understood to have enjoyed perfect health. LAND AGENT’S DEATH VERDICT OF SUICIDE An inquest was held yesterday morning before the coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew. S.M.) on the body of Francis Bernard Francis, aged 50. who was found dead on the premises of Land Sales. Ltd., in Dowling street, on Saturday night, with a gas jet turned on. Sergeant Cooper conducted the inquiry. Evidence of identification was given by George Shepherd Laurie. ‘Dr C. N. Speight said he examined the body shortly after 9.33 p.m. on Saturday and found that the deceased had been dead for five or six hours. The body was lying face down on the floor with an overcoat over the head and a tube from a gas jet under the coat. In his opinion, death was due to coal gas poisoning. Edward Robert Coxon. a cook employed at the Brown Owl Cafe, said that the deceased, who was proprietor of the cafe, usually came into the shop about 6 o’clock each evening. When he did not arrive on Saturday witness became alarmed and rang the deceased’s wife. As a result, he went to the Dowling street premises and found the deceased dead on the floor with an overcoat oyer his head. A piece of gas tubing was attached to a jet. which was turned on. the other end being under the coat. Witness knew that deceased was in financial difficulties, which appeared to worry him. He had also complained that his health wag not good but he had never intimated that he would take his life. Robert Cecil Norman Reed, employed at Land Sales. Ltd., said the deceased was not in good health and was wonied over' financial matters. He left the premises at TO a.m. on Saturday and witness locked up at 12.15 p.m. He spoke to the deceased on the telephone about 1 o’clock. Witness was at the pictures in the evening and was called out to open up the premises in Dojyhng street He saw the room in which the body had been lying and found a note left by the deceased. Sergeant Cooper gave evidence of the discovery of the body, and the coroner returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide by coal gas poisoning, self administered, while in a distressed state of mind. INJURIES TO NOSE Injuries to the nose were received by Neville Wallace, a single man. residing at Main South road. Green Island, when he was struck by a woolpress at his work yesterday. He was admitted to the Hospital at 4 p.m.