WAIHI MINER’S DEATH

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XVII, Issue 5646, 19 June 1919, Page 2

WAIHI MINER’S DEATH

FOUND DEAD IN BED

gam turned on in room

A miner named Charles W. Holues, married, and about 37 years of age, residing in Kcsemont Rood, was found dead in his bed this morning at 6.30 o’clock by his stepson, who went to his room to call him, owing to his apparently having overslept hunsef. Noticing a strong smo’l of gas when ho opened the door, and seeing Holmes lying on the bed apparently dead, the lad proceeded at once to the kitchen, turned off (ho gas. and then went for the police, who On arriving found a gas ring on the floor a'ongsido the bod cf the deceased. A long length of rubber tubing used as a connection with the ring from the gas pipe running into the room was disconnected. and it is presumed that the gas which caused Holmes’ death by asphyxiation came from the lube. Whether dca h was the result of accident or was self inflicted is not clear* all that is known at present is that deceased went to work as usual yesterday morning, but returned iiome before completing his shift. Ho complained to his stepson of face ache, and retired to bed about 9 o’clock at night. Nothing in las sayings or doings recently had suggested that he contemplated taking his life, Immediately after arrival at the house, whore there was still a strong smell cf gas, the police summoned Dr Short, who could only pronounce life extinct, the man having then been dead lor some hours. Mrs Holmes, who is at present in Auckland, has been communicated with. An inquest touching Holmes’ death will be’opened in the Courthouse before the district coroner, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, this evening.