GAS POISONING

Southland Times, Issue 20207, 18 June 1927, Page 6

GAS POISONING

INQUEST AT AUCKLAND. VERDICT OF SUICIDE RETURNED. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 17. An inquest regarding the death of Walter Hill, a hotel porter, who was found dead in his room at 34 St. Paul’s street on the evening of June 7, was held to-day. Florence Kerr said she let a room to the deceased on Juntf 7. He went home about 10 o’clock at night and about 11.15 witness’s attention was attracted by a strong smell of gas. She found deceased sitting in a chair near the stove with an overcoat over his head and the gas tube lying on the floor. The gas was turned on and deceased was apparently dead. Detective White said he had been making inquiries regarding the number of indecent letters written to several youths on June 5. The writer made an appointment to meet one of the youths outside Queen Street Theatre on the evening of June 7. Acting under instructions the boy kept the appointment while witness watched deceased, who was known to the boy as Goodwin. He approached and was accosted by witness. Deceased later admitted he was the person who had been writing indecent letters to a number of boys. He asked if he was to be arrested, and if there was to be a Court case. Witness left him at his bedroom about 10 o’clock. He was perfectly sober and appeared to be quite normal. He did not seem to be distressed in any way and spoke quite cheerfully. The Coroner returned a verdict of suicide by gas-poisoning.