DEATH OF BOY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19337, 29 May 1937, Page 15

DEATH OF BOY

COLLAPSE AT FOOTBALL GAME AFTER LUNCH A lunch-hour game of football at Hamilton High School ended abruptly when ono of the players, Eoland Morrison Maunder, eollapsed on the Held and when carried inside was found to be dead. Deceased had joined in n game organised by the boys after "their lunch. He secured possession of Die ball and was tackled, several boys falling on top of him. He got to his feet* unassisted and walked up the field, but when next noticed was lying on the ground, apparently breathing with difficulty. lie was carried into a science laboratory where artificial respiration was tried. Shortly afterward lie was examined by Dr. 11. Douglas, but was dead. A Tirst Year Pupil. The boy was in his first year at the school. His age was 14 years and 11 months. His father, Mr. E. M. Maunder, and his step-mother live on their farm at Gordonton. An inquest was opened before the coroner, Mr. F. \V. Platts. Dr. Douglas gave evidence that when called lie found the boy had just died, iu his opinion from a sudden syncope brought on by playing football immediately after his lunch. The boy had always been remarkably healthy, stated deceased’s father, except that when a child he had had a weak heart and had been advised by a doctor not to play football. He had been stopped from playing whenever possible, but used to play sometimes in deference to the wishes of his companions. A verdict in accordance rvith the medical evidence was returned, a rider being added that there had been no rough play and that every care had been exercised by the school authorities. Blaine could be attached to no one.