CHAS. RICHDALE'S DEATH

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1542, 30 August 1924, Page 4

CHAS. RICHDALE'S DEATH

INQUEST CONCLUDED. VERDICT OF SUICIDE. The adjourned inquest into the death of Charles E. Richdale, a farmer at Te Rore, who died at his sister's residence at Paterangi late on the afternoon of August 13th, was resumed at the Te Awamutu Courthouse on Thursday afternoon by Mr F. W. Platts, S.M., Coroner. It will be remembered that at the opening of the inquest his relatives deposed that Richdale had apparently been in normal health, but on the afternoon in question he went to bed and an hour or so later was violently ill. He expired before medical aid, summoned from Te Awamutu, could arrive. George J. Hall, medical practitioner, deposed having, with Dr Blundell, conducted a post mortem examination on deceased. The stomach and kidney had been removed for analysis, and the condition of the brain and blood vessels of the head were consistent with poisoning by strychnine. To Mr Cox,- representing Frank Garrett, who is on remand respecting a charge of causing actual bodily harm to Richdale ,on July 7th: There was no connection between the death and the blow on the head received by deceased on July 7th. When witness saw Richdai.? on August 11th he appeared to be depressed. Dirt not know whether deceased had a brother in a mental hospital.

Clough Blundell, medical practitioner, Te Awamutu, deposed having conducted a post mortem examination with Dr Hall. The engorgement of the 'brain were consistent with several ailments, such as poisoning by strychnine. On the back of the head there was a small scar, but this was only superficial. The rest of witness' evidence corroborated that of the previous witness.

John F. Brooks, qualified chemist, Te Awamutu, deposed that Rjbbdale on August 11th purchased a bottle of lysol and a quantity of strychnine. Question at the time of the purchase, Richdale said he wanted the strychnine to poison rabbits with. After Riclidale's death witness examined thd bottle of strychnine and found that about 30 grains were missing. That was ample to cause death. Strychnine could be taken in its powdered state. Fred Hooker, police constable, deposed having delivered portions of deceased's internal organs to the Government analyst at Auckland. The bottle containers were intact and sealed. Constable P. J. Doyle repeated the evidence he had given at the opening of the inquest. He then read the analyst's report, which showed that there was strychnine in the stomach —more than sufficient to cause death.* To Mr Cox: Remembered Richdale saying in Court on August 4th that he then felt no ill effects of the blow on the head he had received on July 7th. Believed a brother of deceased had been an inmate of a mental hospital for some years, and actually died there in June last. The Coroner said that he was convinced that Charles Richdale ended his life, all the indications—especially the evidence of the medical men and the analyst—pointing to the conclusion that he committed suicide whilst in a state of unsound mind. He would return a verdict accordingly.