A MYSTERIOUS DEATH. WELLINGTON, October 31.
Mr C. Hulke, headmaster of the Newtown School, was found dead to-day. He lived by himself, and, not appearing at school, a visit was made to his house, where he was found in bed, having apparently been dead for some time. He was one of the best known teachers in Wellington. The death is supposed to have been due to heart disease, but Mr Hulke's friends were not aware that he had any weakness of the heart, and it was his boast that he never had a day's illness all his life. He was seen about in his usual health yesterday afternoon, but two visitors who called at the house last night could get no response to their knocking. The appearance of the body points to his having had a seizure of some kind. About a fortnight ago Mr Hulke gave some private papers into the keeping of a friend of his, and on these being opened this afternoon they were found to comprise Mr Hulke's will and a memorandum giving a number of singular directions. After referring to his financial position, which shows a credit balance, deceased says : — "I want one of the plainest funerals possible, and mind no one is to follow me. Of course there will be an inquest, and Mr Ashcroft (coroner) need only call Mrs and Miss to know my sentiments, which I have freely expressed to them since January last. I hope Mr will now be satisfied." He concluded by directing how his personal effects are to be disposed of. The document was dated June 18, 1898. The chairman of the school committee received a letter this morning, written by deceased., in which the latter thanked the committee for the kindly consideration they had always shown him, and asking that the disposition of certain books should be made to the teachers connected with the school. These letters were taken to indicate that deceased had premeditated taking
his life, but it is understood the suicide theory is not borne out by the post mortem which was made this afternoon.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 27
Word Count
350A MYSTERIOUS DEATH. WELLINGTON, October 31. Otago Witness, Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 27
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