HOTEL BOARDER’S DEATH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20829, 10 September 1937, Page 8

HOTEL BOARDER’S DEATH

FOUND ON BED BEEN IN TIMARU THREE WEEKS Entering a bedroom at the Railway Private Hotel at 7.45 yesterday morning, a fellow boarder found Thomas Little, a single man, aged about 60 years, dead on his bed, death apparently having occurred during the night. Little is stated to have been suffering from asthma and beside the bed was a bottle of medicine and a glass. The whereabouts of the dead man’s relatives is unknown. He came to Timaru from the south about three weeks ago to stay at the Railway Hotel, and papers found in his possession indicate that recently he was employed at a Public Works camp at Lindis Pass. He was well-known in the Ashburton district, whree he worked on threshing mills and spent some time in Christchurch. The Police are anxious to trace his relatives, and would welcome any information as to their whereabouts. Since early this week, Little had not been well, and had kept to his room in the hotel. He had not been attended by a doctor but had been taking medicine for his complaint. In view of his condition, the proprietor of the hotel had Little’s meals sent to his room, and at 7.45 yesterday morning another boarder entered the room to inquire what Little would like for breakfast. He found him lying on the bed, half dressed. Dr. R. D. King was summoned, but the man was dead. A sum of £B9 was found in the pocket of Little’s coat.

An inquest was opened yesterday morrtlng by Mr H. Morgan, S.M., evidence of identification being given by Constable W. J. Watt, who said he had known deceased for 17 years. He had not seen him for about six years, but at that time deceased was a powerful, sober man in good health. At the request of Sergeant Black, the proceedings were adjourned sine die to enable inquiries regarding deceased’s relatives to be made. The Coroner ordered a post mortem examination to be carried out.