DEATH OF A YOUTH

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1933, Page 7

DEATH OF A YOUTH

CAUSE NOT DETERMINED. STATEMENT BY FATHER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Evidence given at the inquest to-day into the death of a youth 17 years of age indicated that death followed the eating of rum and butter lollies, but whether this was the cause of death has not been determined. The youth’s name was William Milburn, and his death occurred at Bumside last night. Deceased’s father, in evidence, said he saw his son alive about 6.45 p.m. on Tuesday. The boy remarked that he had been eating rum and butter lollies at work during the afternoon and that they had produced a feeling of intoxication. While sitting at his desk, his head had rocked from side to side. About 20 minutes later witness found the deceased on the floor of an outhouse unconscious. Medical aid was summoned, but the doctor could obtain no response from the pulse. The boy was training as a harrier and on the previous Saturday had participated in a race, from which he showed no distress, although he did not finish. Deceased did not say how he had obtained the lollies or from whom.

After further evidence, the inquest was adjourned sine die.