A MYSTERIOUS DEATH,

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 33

A MYSTERIOUS DEATH,

AN AUCKLAND TRAGEDY. THE INQUEST ADJOURNED.

AUCKLAND, August 21. 'About 1 o'clock on Saturday morning an old man, James Poulton, who kept a boarding bouse known as Portico Ville, Wellesley street west, died suddenly. _ In connection with his death some mysterious allegations were made, to the effect that death was the result of a murderous attack by two mysterious stranger who visited the house just before the death of Poulton, who was 74 years of age, had suffered from Saralyeis, and was not in good health. Dr turphy, who had medically attended the deceased, was called in after death. He would have given a certificate to the effect that the cause of death was paralysis, but in view of" the allegations made he hae not given a certificate. The allegations made are to the effect that -two men visited the house about l"a.m. on Saturday and gained admittance, and that a scuffle was heard and blows struck, followed by a moan, immediately afterwards. According to the story the two men -then left the house, and Poulton was discovered in a dvinsr condition, passing away a few minutes later. This statement is made by a boarder in the house. It is/ however, flatly contradicted by the other inmates of the place. Mrs M'Pike says she had been residing In the house for about two months. At (about 1 o'clock on Saturday morning, when all in the house had retired, she heard a knock at the front door. A boy, residing •with his parents— Mr and Mrs Posselthwaito —in the same 'house, opened the door, and two men walked in. She heard the men ask the boy and his mother, who had also gone to the passage, for Mr Poulton, and " then Mrs Primrose, the housekeeper, who spoke to the men, and told them to leave the house. The men refused to leave. Mrs M'Pike states that she then heard Mr Poulton's voice saying: "You would strike me, would you? Don't strike me." She then' heard blows struck, after which there was a fall and a loud moan v She alao says Jhat she' heard what she described as "the fleath rattle." She looked out from her bedroom window, and saw the forms of two men whom she had seen in the early part trf the evening, and could identify them as they went down a short pathway to the gate. She heard one of the men say, "I think we have done for the old ." After the men left the gate she hurried round to Mr Poulton's room, and found Mrs Primrose already there. Mrs Primrose said : " 1 think he has fainted." Mrs M'Pike felt his puke, and found the old man dead. She immediately called assistance, and the 1 police were cent for. t The housekeeper, Mr 3 Primrose, states that • deceased was about 74 years of age. She heard, him call: "Anniei get me some water." She procured the water, and went Snto nis room, giving him a drink, bathing his temples,- and staying with him probably till between 1 and 2 on Saturday morning. Then he declared that he was going to die. Shortly after he did die. She sent for a doctor, but nnne came then. Dr Murphy came later on in the morning. Deceased had been under Dr Murphy's care for the past 12 •_ months for paralysis, "having had two strokes. Deceased was seized with another stroke just before his death. Mr 3 Primrose gave a flat denial to Mrs M'Pike's story. She stated that no two men entered Mr Poulton's room, and that no blows were struck.