GOSSIP STOPS A FUNERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 5

GOSSIP STOPS A FUNERAL.

CORONER’S REBUKE TO SCANDALMONKERS. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON. March 25. The Bristol Coroner, Mr A. E. Barker, yesterday held an inquest on Annie Sarah Spencer, aged 29, the wife of Percival Tames Spencer, of West Street. St Philip's, Bristol. Mrs Spencer died last Thursday night, and owing to rumours which reached Mr Barker the funeral, which was to have been held on Tuesday, was stopped and a postmortem examination was ordered. Medical evidence showed that the only external mark on the body was a slight scratch on the right forearm, which had healed, and that death was due to rupture of the aorta and was in no way associated with violence. Mr Barker said that information was given to the police that Mrs Spencer had been subjected to all sorts of violence, and he had no option but to have the funeral stopped. "It only shows,” he added, “what trouble and what pain can be caused to many people by this wicked habit of gossiping and chattering—gossip and chatter for which, as the medical evidence has proved, there is not a fragment of foundation." The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes, and endorsed the views of Mr Barker. Mr A. W. Taylor, for the husband, said there had been no unhappiness during the whole course of the married lives of Mr and Mrs Spencer.