AN OLD MAN'S DEATH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11642, 21 August 1905, Page 5

AN OLD MAN'S DEATH.

Strange Affair In* an Auckland Boarding House. Conflicting Statements. (Per United Press Association.) " AUCKLAND 1 , August 21. About one o'clock on Saturday, morning an old^mari, named James Poulton, who, kept a Doardinghouse known as "Portico Villa," Wellesley Street West, died suddenly. In connection with h^T death some mysterious allegations were made to the effect. that death was the result of a murderous attack by two mysterious strangers, who visited the- house just before his death. Poulton, who was 74 yeara of age, had suffered from -paralysis, and was npt in good health. Dr Murphy, who had medically attended deceased; was called in after death, and would have given a certificate "to the effect that the cause of death was paralysis, but in view of the allegations made ho has not given a certificate. A post mortem examination . has been ordered, by the Coroner, and an, inquest will be held tip-day. The allegations made are to the effect . that two men visited the house about one a.m. on Saturday, and gained admittance; that a scuffle was heard, and blows were -struck, followed by a, moan. Immediately afterwards, according to the story, two men lef t tlio house,- and tn© . old _ man Poulton was discovered in a dying condition, passing away a few minutes later. This statement was made by a boarder in the house. It, however, is flatly contradicted by the other 7 inmates of the place. Mrs McPike s'ay3 she had been residing in the house for about two. months. About ono o'clock on Saturday morning, when all in the house had retired, she heard a knock at the front door, and a boy residing with his parents,. Mr and Mrs Posselthwaite, in the same house, opened- the door and two men walked in. She heard the men ask the boy and his .mother, who had also gone to the passage, for Mr Poulton, and then Mrs Primrose, the housekeeper, who spoke to the men, told them to leave the house, biit the men refused to leave. Mrs McPikej states she then heard Poulton's voice saying, "You would strike me, would you? don't strike me." Then she heard blows struck, after which there was a fall and a loud moan. She also says she hard what, she describes as a "death rattle.". She looked out from- her bedroom window, and saw the -forms of two men, whom she «had seen in the early part of the evening and could identify. As they went down the short pathway to the gate, she heard one of the men say, "I think we have done- for the old ." After the men left the gate, she hurried around to Poulton's room and found Mrs Primrose already there. Mrs Primrose said, "I think he has fainted." Mrs McPike felt his pulse and found the old man was. dead. She immediately called assistance, and the police were sent for.

The housekeeper, Mrs • Primrose, states 'that deceased was about 74 years of age. About half-past ten she Heard him call out "Annie, get me some water." She procured the water and went into his room, giving him a drink; and bathing his temples. She stayed with him probably to between one and two o'clock on Saturday morning, then he declared ho was going to die, and shortly after he did die. She sent for a doctor, but" no one came then, but Dr Murphy came later on, in the morning. Deceased had been under Dr Murphy's care for the past 12 months for paralysis, having had two strokes. Deceased was seized with another stroke just before his death. Mrs Primrose gave a fiat denial to Mrs McPike's story, and stated that no two men entered Poulton's room, and no tilows were struck.

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