MINERAL DUST CAUSE DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1929, Page 12

MINERAL DUST CAUSE DEATH

MAN’S LUNGS AFFECTED. '‘Death was due to the inhalation of mineral dust,” was the verdict returned by the coroner (Air. W. L. Kennedy), after the inquest held yesterday into the death of Walter Edward Coffin early on Tuesday morning. His occupation as a monumental mason had caused him to work in air impregnated with stone dust.

Violet Al. Goffin, wife of the dead man, said they retired at 9 p.m. on Monday, when her husband was in good spirits and-his usual state of health. She woke, at 2.40 a.m. on Tuesday to find her husband gasping for breath and struggling. He appeared to her to be in a fit.

Mrs. Goftin called a neighbour and had a doctor advised. The doctor spent some, .time with Air. Goflin, and finally ordered his removal to the hospital, where he died. Her husband was 40 years of age, and up till a month ago had been in good health, but during the past few weeks he had complained of pains in the head, ears and eyes. He did not consult a doctor, as he believed the pains would pass in due course. Ou one Sunday when Mr. and Mrs. Goffin went walking he complained of feeling very tired, and expressed a wish to lie down. He continued with his work, however, until 5 p.m. on Monday. He had never said that his work affected him in any way.

He was called to Mr. Goffiu’s residence at 3.15 a.m. on Tuesday, said Dr. D. Steven. When he arrived Mr. Goffin was having short seizures. Witness remained with him till 4.30 a.m., when he ordered his removal to the hospital. He died a few minutes after admission.

The doctor made'a post mortem examination, and found that the cause of death was cerebral thrombosis, due to advanced .silicosis of both lungs. Dr. Steven assumed that the silicocis was ft result of Air. Coffin’s occupation as a monumental maron —an occupation that caused him to inhale stone dust, which set up a formation- of fibrous tissue round, it in the lungs. The process, going on for years, had diseased the lungs.

RACING STEWARDS APPOINTED. The following stewards have been appointed for the Stratford Racing Club’s meeting on January 1 and 2:—Bird cage steward, Mr. H. M. Good, in conjunction with Mr. A. V. Budge; saddling paddock and starting steward. Air. A. Stewart; number board. Air. H. E. Abraham, in the absence of Air. J. Fredric; steward in charge of entrance to lawn from motor paddock, Air. W. G. Thurston; entrance via Tybalt Street. Air. T. McDonald; entrance via Pembroke Road and turnstiles, Air. V. Smith. Placed horses will be under the control of Afessrs. H. E. Abraham (first), V. Smith (second), W. G. Thurston (third and fourth). Afessrs. H. E. Abraham, D. J. Malone, A. Stewart and R. E. Alalfroy were appointed |he judicial committee. ' Airs. S. -Pitt will present a trophy to the winning jockey of the cup liandi: cap.’

GENERAL ITEMS. ♦ In view of the near approach of Christmas most dairy factory companies have already math their advances to suppliers. The general average is Is. sd. per lb., but Midhirst with casein has advanced Is. 6d. Complete with red coat and venerable white whiskers, Father Christmas visited the Stratford primary school yesterday and distributed presents to the younger children. The Lampionship for calves judged on dairy type in the Shorthorn-Friesian class at Eltham was won by Brian Alorris, Bird Road, not by Guy Morris, as has been stated, The following will represent the Stratford Cricket Club against the Inglewood Thursday team at Victoria Park today:—Owen, Williams, Pastier, Carryer, Bamford, Richardscn (3), Fowler, Lacy, AlcWillan, Lonsdale,. Irving. The secret of our success is based on a fair deal and a one price policy to everyone. We not only increase our business but are establishing a reputation for highclass goods, dependable and prices of the very lowest. Every article in our store is a star value, and our claim is to our matchless prices. The- Auckland Warehouse, general drapery and clothing store (o£>p. County Hotel), Stratford.