OLD MAN'S DEATH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15956, 18 October 1922, Page 6

OLD MAN'S DEATH.

• ATTENTION ATTRACTED BY A DOG. : VERDICT OP HEART FAILURE. The inquest touching on the death of William George Norman, aged 66 year's, whoso body was found in his house in bright street on Monday, was held yesterday afternoon, before Mr. 11. E. Hi.U, J.P., and a jury comprising Messrs. G. i f . Henderson (foreman), W. O'Donnell, W. Arthur, and David Denham. William George Norman, of Clifford street, said that deceased waa his father. Witness said that his mother was at present living in Auckland. Deceased waa last seen alivo by witness about eight days ago. Deceased had complained to witness' wifo of a pain somewhere near his heart.

Dr. It. M. Gunn gave evidence of a post-mortem examination made of tlio body at the morgue that day. The body was very much swollen, and the surface was in a fairly advanced stage of decomposition. The heart was large, and the heart muscles showed evidence of degeneration, and one of the valves • was incised. In witness' opinion death resulted from failure of deceased's heart. ! Mary Goodfellow, of Awapuni road, stated'that she had known the deceased, for about 5 years. lie had visited her houso almost weekly for about two years. Ho had had influenza, and had been suffering from colds ever since. Yesterday deceased's dog came to her houso in the morning and would hot go home. Once before tho dog had come, and when she went to deceased's houso ho was ill in bed. Therefore she visited tlio house again yesterday, as the dog would not go home. She found deceased lying on the. bed. Richardson Nicholson Smith, said that he had lived next door to deceased. ITo last saw him alive on Frfflay evening. Ho then appeared in his usual health. Constable Fitzgerald slated that lie visited deceased's house about 4 p.m. on Monday, and saw deceased lying on tlio bed in the front room. Ho was fully dressed, with the exception of coat and boots. There were no signs 6f disorder about the house. A verdict in accordance with tho medical testimony was returned.