INQUEST IN HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14599, 24 February 1921, Page 6

INQUEST IN HAMILTON

MR C. R. SIYIALLFIELD'S DEATH. CAUSED BY HEART FAILURE. The adjourned inquest into the cirBtances surrounding the death of Ccc.l Robert Smullfleld, who was found drowned in the Waikato River on January 26th, was continued before Mr H. A Young, 5.M., at the Courthouse yesterday afternoon. Keith Howard Chapman, stock agent, of Hamilton, deposed to having been at one time employed by the deceased. On January 20 he was bathing with the deceased, who got into trouble, and had t<> be assisted ashore. Deceased appeared to he "done in." and looked about him with a dazed expression. Witness was sure that on this occasion deceased could not have come ashore without assistance. On Hie day following deceased and witness went bathing, and after deceased had taken a dive lie appeared to be "shaken up." On the day of the fatality witness and decease! again wcnl bathing. Deceased look "a header." and then returned to the bank, some 30yds away from where witness was sitting. They conversed at Ibis distance for some lime, and (hen witness, not getting any reply lo a question he put to deceased, ran down to where he had 'ast seen him. Witness saw no trace of him. Witness had heard no Bound or splash or anything to indicate that he had got into the water. Seeing no trace of deceased, witness rang up the police, and a search was instituted, hut without success. Witness had known Mr Smallfield for about two and a-half years, and during that time he had not complained about being unwell 0" troubled with heart disease. Deceased, to bis mind, had at one time been a good swimmer. Mr J. W. Hopkins, for the widow, at this stage pul in a birth certificate to establish identification. Witness 'to Mr Hopkins): The day was a very hot one on which deceased went for his final swim. There was nothing unusual about deceased's manner on tlio way to the river. He was just as merry and bright in bis manner us ever. Witness bad not seen him exhibit any sign of depression. Walter Harold Burbush, a slock agent residing at Hamilton, deposed to having Known the deceased for about seven or eight years. Witness corroborated the evidence given by the previous witness regarding deceased swimming at various times in the Waikato River. Deceased was of a very determined nature, mil would not give way to illness or depression. To Mr Hopkins: On the Sunday previous to his death deceased wagered wilness £a that he could beat him in a swim across the river. Deceased signed a cheque for Eii, and witness did likewise, and they were given to Chapman to bold. II was quite a natural tiling for deceased to eo bathing on Working days, as things had been quiet (bis season. Dr. Pinfold gave evidence as lo the condition of the body, on which he had held a post mortem examination. The hcarl was small and empty of blond. There was no valvular disease present, and there was apparently no valvular disease, but Ihe organ was to.) small museularly for a man of deceased's size. ||c was of opinion (liul death was no| due |.o drowning, bill to failure of the heart, which had not sufficient muscular energy to resist the cold. Dr. Garland also gave evidence. 1!" disagreed with Dr. Pinfold as regards the size of the heart. He considered it was not noticeably smaller than any normal organ. In his opinion, death was due to heart failure caused by shock through immersion in water. The d.roner found thai death was due Lo heart failure of deceased whilst bathing in cold water. It was disclosed during the proceedings thai deceased was insured for £15.000.