DEATH OF FARM LABOURER

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1931, Page 2

DEATH OF FARM LABOURER

POST MORTEM EXAMINATION.

INQUEST AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

An inquest into the death of Alexander John Macdonald, a farm worker, Awakiuo, who died at Mokau on Tuesday, was opened at New Plymouth before the district coroner, Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., yesterday. After hearing evidence of identification given by Constable Cantion,' Mokaii, the coroner adjourned the inquest sine die to allow of a post mortem examination being made in an endeavour to ascertain the cause of death.

Macdonald was a fencer employed by Mr. Fred King, who managed a farm on Manganiii Road, Awakino, Constable Cantlon said. He was a widower, aged about 55, was a good worker and was usually in good health. Macdonald told' the constable he had been on a drinking bout at Waitqra for about nine days. He complained of pains in his abdomen, which he thought must have been caused by drinking bad whisky. He returned to Awakino from Waitara on Friday. Macdonald commenced to walk to his home but when about seven miles up the road he felt unwell,, and he stayed the night in an unused whare. On the following morning he saw Mr. L. Jones in his motor-car and asked him to take him to the district nurso at Mokau. The witness saw Macdonald in the car when he was brought to Mokau. He stayed at Mrs. Box’s boardinghouse where lie died oh Tuesday. Maijdonald’ was a returned soldier, the constable said. He had relatives at Stratford and some property there which was looked after by- the Public Trustee. ' •