PALMERSTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 18

PALMERSTON.

August 14. — A very sudden death occurred here, a very old resident named George Bryce, a groom in the employ of Dr Angus, being found dead in his bed early this morning . Yesterday the deceased had driven the doctor on his usual visits, and retired to bed last night between 11 and 12 in his usual state of health. Mr J. G. Findlay, solicitor, conversed with him just previous to his retiring, and noticed nothing whatever unusual about him ; but upon Mr D. Findlay going to his room to call him about half-past 8 this morning he discovered that he was dead, and had apparently been so for some hours. The doctor was at ence aroused, and it is supposed that the cause of death was due to apoplexy or old age (the deceased was 87 years of age) ; and as there were no suspicious circumstances connected with the death, the coroner did not consider it necessary to hold an inquest. A remarkable coincidence (which I cannot help stating) connected is the fact that the above death is the third that has happened ■within the past seven months to persons who were or had been intimately connected with the Palmerston Hotel. The other two deaths were the reapeoted proprietor of the hotel (Mr Hailstone) and his wife, and the whole three deaths were exactly Similar— viz., "found dead iv their beds." Thede-

ceased (Bryce) had acted in the capacity of groom at the hotel for many years past— firßt with Mr 1 T. Davies, the original proprietor of the place, and then after his death with the late Mr Hailstone, and only left the latter's employ a short time since and entered that of Dr Angus. The deceased, although living to such an advanced age, was both as hale and hearty as scores of persons not much more than half his age. THEWEATHERhasatlasttaken up, but for howlong it would be a difficult matter to even guess at. The roadß throughout the Waihemo county have just been visited by the inspector, aud, considering the heavy rainfall of the past few weeks, have not suffered to any great extent. Both the roads to Naseby, via Pigroot, and Macraes and Hyde, with some few slight exceptions, are perfectly safe for traffic. The Fillybum bridge on the latter route ia damaged— so much bo that the inspector has deemed it necessary to close it until repairs are effected— but the old crossing above the bridge is perfectly safe as the inspector t saw a buggy driven over it to-day, and travellers over either road can proceed with confidence.