SIX INQUESTS YESTERDAY

Southland Times, Issue 24765, 9 June 1942, Page 3

SIX INQUESTS YESTERDAY

TAXI DRIVER’S DEATH

A verdict that Edward George Keys died at Invercargill on April 9, the cause of the death being drowning, was returned by the Coroner, Mr R. C. Abernethy, yesterday. The inquest was one of six heard yesterday. Mr H. J. Macalister appeared for the employers, the Red Band Taxi Company, and Mr K. G, Roy for the relations. Sergeant J. Hogg represented the police. Keys was a married man aged 45 and was a cinematograph operator. Dr W. J. Barclay said he conducted a post-mortem examination of the body at Kew Hospital. The state of the body was consistent with its having been immersed in water for a time. There was no evident cause of death.

Walter Garfield Stiles said he engaged a taxi to take him to Otatara on April 9. He did not know the driver of the taxi, but had since ascertained that he was Edward George Keys. He was in good health and was sober.

Freda E. Keys, wife of the deceased, said her husband was employed by the Red Band Taxi Company. 'He was a returned soldier. His health was good and he was a good driver. He had nothing to worry him. James M. Adams, a taxi driver for the Red Band Taxi Company, said Keys took a fare to Otatara on April 9. He did not return all night and when it was getting daylight the witness went to look for him. Sydney Henry Bricknell gave evidence of having found the body on the foreshore at Pleasure Bay on April 29. In giving his verdict the Coroner said that there was no evidence to justify suicide. MARRIED WOMAN’S DEATH In the Inquest into the death of Minnie Eleanor Wilson, aged 39, a married woman, the Coroner found that she died at Invercargill on May 7 by drowning, having taken her own life. Evidence was given by Dr L. R. Stewart who conducted the post-mor-tem examination, John Poole, who found the body in the Waihopai river, and David Smith Wilson, husband of the deceased. The last named said that during the last 18 months his wife had suffered at intervals from severe mental depression and during that time- had been under the care of several doctors. At the inquest into the death of Irene Agnes Ann Rankin, aged .35, married, of Biggar street, the Coroner found death occurred at Invercargill on May 1 and was due to asphyxia by gas poisoning, self administered. Evidence was given by Constable E. P. Binns, who found the body, and by Dr Stewart, who conducted the post-mortem examination. DEATH BY GAS POISONING A verdict that Henry Christie Shand died at Invercargill on May 8, the cause of death being asphyxia by gas poisoning, self administered, was returned. Shand was a goods clerk employed by the Railways Department and was 43 years of age. John S. H. Orr said he arrived at work at the railway station on May 8 and found a letter addressed to him lying on his desk. On opening the letter be found that it had been written by Shand and judging by the letter it was evident that the writer intended to end his life. He went to the railway social hall and smelt gas coming from the library. The doors and windows were secure and he sent for the police. The door was forced open and Shand’s body was found in the small lobby of the hall. Life was extinct. Dr F. J. Wilson, who examined the body, said the cause of death was • presumably asphyxia due to carbon monoxide poisoning. HAWKER’S DEATH The Coroner found that Thomas Munro Graham, a hawker, aged about 50, died at Invercargill on March 23 from coronary thrombosis. Evidence was given by Walter Dlmmock. who lived in the same hotel as Graham, Constable V. C. Cross, who said that no trace of Graham’s relations could be found in New Zealand, and by Dr Barclay. MAKAREWA FARMER’S DEATH A verdict that John Meagher died at Invercargill on February 22 as the result of head injuries inflicted on him by William Lawrence and James Mann was returned by the Coroner. Meagher was a farmer of Makarewa and was about 62 years of age. Dr Barclay said that death was due to laceration of the brain.