NEGLECTED OLD AGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 15

NEGLECTED OLD AGE

IN Q U EST CONCLUDED. The inquest into the circumstances of the death of James Taylor, an elderly civil servant, who died on Sunday, 12th niht., after falling from a moving iramcar, was servant, who died on Sunday, 12th inst., before Air 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M., as coroner. Constable M’C’idloch represented the police, Mr R unsay appeared for the City Corporation, and Mr C. J. ALKenzie, tramways manager, was also present. Constable West said he had known the deceased very well for the past 20 years. Recently lie had become very frail, and was growing frailer. He had lived alone since the death of his wife some years ago, and attended to himself. He was in a neglected condition. People near by went in to see him every day. \\ itness saw him in the Hospital the day after the accident. He told witness that ho was trying to got_ to town to draw an instalment of his annuity, lie got hold of a moving car. and was pulled over by ii. He had tried to get on the previous two cars. Asked if he knew the tramway men, he said “ No. hut they're all mad.” Deceased was in possession of all his faculties, but was becoming feeble. Arthur Grant Sheriff, butcher, of Roslyn. said he knew the deceased very well. He had seen tho accident on the afternoon of June 1. just opposite his shop in Highgate,The car came along Highgate, from Maori Hill, and deceased made towards it. Two ladies got on. When the car started deceased was hanging on to it by one hand, and as soon as he let go he fell. '1 he car had gone perhaps a couple of yards. Tile car stopped, and witness went to the old man’s assistance. The officials came back, and every attention was given him. He would not sav that from deceased's personal condition he should not have been allowed on the car, but owing to his feeble condition ho was not able lo take cave of himself. Alexander Alan Jenkins, tram conductor, said he conducted all cars on the Maori Hill lino on the afternoon of June 1. Deceased first came to the car at about , 2.15 p.m. near the Fire Brigade Station, j Ho attempted to got on. and witness refused to let him on owing to lbs filthy

,* condition. In his opinion ho was not fi{ ; to lido amon# ether passengers. Deceased fif.id nothing, but turned and walked away, ; He tried 20 minutes later, and was agair;. j told he could net get on. Witness sig* nailed t lie car to start, and just as '( J started deceased caught hold of the baeA hand rail. He seamed to go about twi slops, then lost his balance, and fell. Witness stopped the car and ran to h s assists anco. Witness hul never previously re fused to allow him en the car. Deceased was in a much worse condition than he had seen him before. Charles Main M‘Nicoll, corporation cn» ployee, and Alfred Henry Ginn, mortcAVi nian, also gave evidence. Jho Coroner said that previous evidence had shown that deceased had a combination of asthma and heart trouble, and was 84years of age. The main factors in his death were the complications from which he was suffering, together with his age. The man was in a neglected and insanitary condition, and the tram officers were ciuit® right in refusing to allow him to bo in a tramcar with other passengers. Unfortunately the old gentleman thought ho could got on and caught the hand rail, but in his enfeebled condition he was unable to jump on and fell. This was a pure accident, and lie could attach no blame to the tram officials in any way. The verdict would be that the cause of death was heart j railure result in or from shook following injiirios received by deceased being accidentally dragged bv a tram, accelerated by his j c = e and condition of iiis chest and heart.