FOUND DEAD IN BED.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18703, 1 August 1932, Page 7

FOUND DEAD IN BED.

* FATHER AND LITTLE SON. GAS POISONING THE CAUSE. TRAGIC DISCOVERY IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. Monday. In an apartment in Wynyard Street, yesterday morning, William Charles Morrison, aged 50 years, a married man residing apart from his wife, and ■ his five-year-old son, John Albert Morrison, an only child, were, found dead in bed. The boy, who lived with his mother, Mrs Ida Morrison, a nurse, was visiting this father for the week-end. On Saturday father and son went to see the League test match, but befoie the game was finished the father, who had been in 111-health for three months complained of feeling unwell and they .returned to his apartment. After they had taken their evening meal the boy was put to bed about nine o clock, the father playing cards with the owner of the house, Mrs Love, and others, until about 10.30 p.m., when he retired. He then appeared to be depressed. Mrs Love w'ent to the bedroom about 9 o’clock yesterday morning with deceased’s breakfast, but received no reply to her knock. She then noticed f the smell of gas and notified other * residents of the house, one ‘Of whom summoned the police. Dlsoovery by Police. Constables Webb and Edwards, on arrival at the house, found the father and son in bed, death having taken place several hours previously. The bodies were lying side by side, Both were covered by blankets and two rugs, which were not disturbed. Gas had been allowed to escape from a gas'heater, Which was turned on, hut not lighted, and stood at the foot of the bed. This heater was connected with several feet of flexible tubing to a gas stove fed through a slot-meter. The two windows In the room were closely shut. A scarf had been placed over the cr&ck at the top of the door* and an old sheet had been pushed Into a ventilator In the kitchenette adjoining the bedroom. A note was found in the pocket of the son’s pyjamas asking his father to “ tell him fairy stories in the morning." A diary in which deceased had made a number of entries ■ relating to Certain worries Was found among his cffGCts Deceased was formerly an employee of the Auckland Electric-Power Board, retiring from Its service three months ago. When he retired he gave illhealth as the reason and stated that lie intended to take A short holiday and then join his.sister in business in New Plymouth, where his imether, Mrs Isaac Morrison, and other members of the family reside. THE WANGANUI TRAGEDY. MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DEAD. VERDICT AT THE INQUEST. ' WANGANUI, .Sunday. A verdict of accidental coal-gas poisoning as the result of the action of her mother was returned at the inquest into the death of Patricia McCormick, aged six months. In the case of the mother, Clara Elizabeth McCormick, who was also found dead at 22 Sydney Place on July 22, a verdict of death by coal-gas poisoning selfadministered while in a depressed state of mind was returned by the coroner, Mr J. H. Salmon. Jack McCormick, husband of , the dead woman, said that when he returned home at 9.30 p.m., he smelt gas When approaching the back door, which was locked. He went Into the kitchen and found his wife lying with her head In the oven. The baby was dead in a cot In an adjoining room. His wife had been depressed, although he had never heard her express an Intention of doing away with herself. Dr. Hutchison said it was not likely that the'woman intended to asphyxiate the baby. Sufficient gas had escaped into the child’s room to cause death.