Dr Henry Horsford Prins MRCSE, (1835-8/11/1896). "his skill and attention"

OBITUARY.

HENRY HORSFORD PRINS.

One of the most respected medical practitioners of Canterbury passed away yesterday morning. By the death of Dr Prins Canterbury loses one of the most assiduous and large-hearted of the medical fraternity, as well as one of the first to practise his profession in Christchurch, and his death will be regretted not only by a large circle of friends, but also by a great number of patients, who owe much to his skill and attention. Dr Prins was born in Colombo, Ceylon, his father being Dr John Theobald Prins, who held a high position in the Indian Army, and who had married in India. Dr Prins, after obtaining some medical experience in England, came out to the colony in the ship Cashmere (Captain Byron), in charge of some 300 emigrants, arriving in Lyttelton on Oct. 11, 1859. Soon after his arrival here he starred practice in an unpretentious way, and during the year 1863 he acted as locum tenens for the late Dr Burrell Parkerson, who was on a visit to Australia. About this time affairs in connection with the Christchurch Hospital were in a rather unsatisfactory state, and Mr Rolleston (then Provincial Secretary) selected Dr Prins to take charge of the institution, appointing the late Dr Stedman as his consultant. After reorganising the hospital, Dr Prins was given control of all the public institutions under the Provincial Government, including the Lunatic Asylum, Police Department, &c. After holding the appointment for three years he resigned it and resumed private practice, which he carried on up to within a few weeks of his death. To the last he retained a deep, interest in the welfare of the hospital, and for over thirty years he directed energy, time and skill to the service of the institution. Dr Prins, in the early days of the province, took a very great interest in all that concerned its welfare, more especially its popular institutions. He was one of the founders of the Christchurch Horticultural Society, and was its first chairman. He was also an active member of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. He was one of the promoters of the original Mechanics' Institute, the predecessor of the present Public Library, and at one time held the positions of president, secretary and librarian. Dr Prins always took a keen interest in racing, and sportsmen will remember him as a breeder of horses and a prominent member of the Canterbury Jockey Club. In 1875, Dr Prins married a daughter of the late Colonel Lean, who, with two sons and six daughters, survive him. The eldest son, Mr Henry Mallock Prins, is at present in England qualifying for his father's profession. 

The funeral will leave for the Riccarton Churchyard to-morrow afternoon. A number of flags in the town were flying at halfmast yesterday.  -Star, 9/11/1896.

FUNERAL OF DR. PRINS.

The funeral of the late Dr. Henry Horsford Prins took place yesterday, the procession proceeding from his late residence down Manchester street into Cashel street, thence by Oxford terrace to the Riccarton Cemetery. A very large number of friends followed the remains to the grave, there being about sixty vehicles in all. Among those present were the following — The Mayor of Christchurch, the Revs. H. Northcote, Gordon Webster and I. Zacharah, Hons. E. W. Parker, W. Rolleston, and L. Walker, Messrs G. E. Mannering, T. D. Barker, C. D. Fox, R. D. Thomas (Chairman of the Hospital Board), M. Miller (Secretary Hospital Board), W. Bonnington, R. Westenra, F. C. Tabart, W. W. Collins, M.H.R., J. Bullick, C. Lewis, M.H.R., Allan Hopkins, G. Harper, H. D. Andrews, C. R. Blakiston, C. Turner, Lawrence, Fletcher, C. Dudley, T. J. Maling, L. Matson, Drs. Mickle, Ovenden, Stewart, Deßenzi, Murdoch, Nedwill and Levinge. In addition to the above thirty members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade attended in uniform.

There were seventy-two wreaths in all, sent by Mr and Mrs A. L. Taylor, Mr and Mrs J. B. Way, Mrs A. J. White, Mrs Morton Ollivier, Miss Lily Turnbull, Mr and Mrs W. P. Cowlishaw, Mrs F. H. Barker, Mrs and the Misses Wynn-Williams, Mrs Mark Moritz, Mrs Robinson and family, Mrs J. T. Matson and family, Mrs J. G. Ruddenklau, Misses Sara and Alice Bowron, The Nurses of the Strathmore Hospital, Mrs Y. E. Thompson and the Misses Thompson, Mr and Mrs H. M. Lund, Rev. W. Dunkley, Misses Myra and Con. Hargreaves, Mr and Mrs Heaton Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Currie, Mr and Mrs Strouts, Mr and Mrs Crawford, Mr J. Milton, Mrs M. P. Stoddart and family, Mr and the Misses Gerard, Mr and Mrs J. D. Hall, Mr and Mrs William Strange, Mr and Mrs S. M. Shain, Messrs H. G. and M. S. Herriott, Mr and Mrs W. B. Buller, Mr and Mrs J. Shand, Mr and Mrs Thomas Pappril and family, Miss Rosa Dixon, Mrs Newby and family, Old Patients, Miss Hicks, Mrs P. Cunningham and family, Mr P. Van der Velden, Miss Parkerson, Miss Townend, Miss Biggs, St. Luke's Vicarage, Miss Fairhurst, Mrs J. T. Peacock, Mr and Mrs G. F. Bunz, Mr and Mrs F. D. S. Neave, Mr and Mrs George Hart, Mr and Mrs Kamer, Mr and Mrs Cuddon, Mrs George Fletcher, Miss Kitson, "Baby" Mainwaving, Mr and Mrs Van Asch, Mr F. C. Tabart, Mr and Mrs Lascelles, Mrs and Dr. Levinge, Mrs J. C. Burrows, Mr J. M. Heywood, Christchurch and Sumner Fire Brigades, Mr and Mrs Hargreaves, Mrs B. M. Moorhouse, Mr and Mrs W. Parkes. The wreaths on the coffin were the gifts of Drs. Jennings and Townend, the Servants, Nurse King, Mr and Mrs Robison, Mrs Lascelles and Mrs Slater. There were also many wreaths without names. 

The coffin was of polished rimu, with half-decked lid and brass mountings. The pall-bearers were Drs. Symes, Moorhouse, Jennings, Irving, Townend and Diamond. The service was conducted by the Rev. Canon Harper, assisted by the Rev. H. C. M. Watson.  -Press, 11/11/1896.

"MRCSE" stands for Member, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.

Reuben Cook, (1838-12/8/1876). "lunacy"

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Monday, November 22. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.)

Drunk and Disorderly. — The following inebriates were dealt with: — John Chubb, fined 5s; Frederick Agisis, drunk and disorderly at Railway Station, 10s; Johann O’Connor, an old offender, 40s and cautioned; Joseph Pickett, 5s; Jacob Cox, an old offender, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, with hard labour, and Alexander McKenzie was fined 5s. 

Drunk and Using Obscene Language. — Jane McMahon, who had been several times lately before the Court, was charged with being drunk and using obscene language in front of the Q.C.E. Hotel on Saturday night, and fined 40s. 

Vagrancy. — Peter Romulus, whom it was proved had been lying out in Hagley Park for some nights past, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, with hard labour.

Lunacy from Drink. — Reuben Cook, who was brought up suffering from the effects of drink, was remanded to Lyttelton for eight days.  -Globe, 22/11/1875.

Lunacy. — Philip Carey, on remand, was brought up. He was again remanded for eight days. Reuben Cook, who had been remanded to Lyttelton for medical treatment, was discharged, as it appeared he had recovered.  -Globe, 30/11/1875.

Lunacy from Drink. — James Francis, who had been remanded for medical treatment, was again brought up, and being fully recovered, was dismissed with a caution. — Reuben Cook was brought up under similar circumstances, and also discharged.  -Star, 13/7/1876.

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, August 9. (Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) 

Lunacy from Drink. — Reuben Cook was brought up on a charge of this nature. From the evidence it appeared that prisoner had already been under medical treatment in Lyttelton, and about ten days after coming out of gaol, commenced drinking again very hard, and was quite unfit to be at large. Prisoner was remanded to Lyttelton for eight days for medical treatment.  -Lyttelton Times, 10/8/1876.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Mr REUBEN COOK are respectfully informed that his FUNERAL will take place TO-MORROW (Wednesday), leaving the Christchurch Hospital at 2.16 p.m. for Riccarton.  -Star, 15/8/1876.

DEATHS.

Cook — August 12th, at Christchurch Hospital, Mr Reuben Cook, aged thirty-eight.  -Press, 16/8/1876.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.

Lieutenant Colonel George Packe, (23/4/1836-16/10/1882). "a thorough gentleman"

Colonel Packe is very ill, and a rumor was going about to-day that he was dead, but it is not true.  -Hawkes Bay Herald, 19/9/1882.

We are glad to be able to contradict the rumour that was circulated in town yesterday, and revived this morning, as to the death of Colonel Packe. That gentleman is seriously ill at his own house; but by accounts received this morning, he is able to be taken out of doors in a bath chair.   -Star, 19/9/1882.

THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE LIEUT. COLONEL PACKE.

Captain Hamersley, of the Artillery, has received a communication from Major Lean, commanding the district, informing him of the arrangements of the funeral, which are as follows: The funeral will leave the residence of deceased at Upper Riccarton, at 2.15 p.m. to-morrow. The headquarter corps, Christchurch; the B troop of the C.Y.Q., dismounted; the C Battery N.Z. Artillery, without guns; No. 1 Temuka and No. 2 Ashburton Rifles, all in full dress with arms, rifles and bayonets, the whole under the command of Captain Hamersley, will proceed by the train leaving Timaru at 7.30 a.m., Temuka at 8.15 a.m., and Ashburton at 10.55 a.m. to Middleton Station, arriving shortly before direct to the house, returning by 9 ordinary or special trains. No billets or rations will be provided, however.  -South Canterbury Times, 18/10/1882.

The following, In Memoriam, of the late Colonel Packe appears in the "Lyttelton Times," over the signature of "Voltigeur:" "Kind, courteous and genial George Packe, late of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was a man who could have left no enemies behind him. It seems hard to have to write in the past tense of one who was in the prime of life, and whom we would so willingly have kept among us; but it has been so decreed, let it be the consolation of those who now mourn him that none can look back on his past life and say that Colonel Packe ever, by word or deed, deviated from that path of honor and truthfulness he felt so instinctively should be followed by a gentleman and a soldier. Faults in common with the rest of mankind be naturally had; but faults so trivial and so totally devoid of harm to others that they will sink with him into the grave, leaving with us only those recollections of his good and kindly qualities, which will so strongly and so lastingly endear his memory to us. Hating snobbishness in any form, and detesting whatever was low or mean, he delighted in the society of a well-bred gentleman, and had ever a warm corner in his heart for a soldier. He never could forget the profession of his father, and of his own youth, and the 'ruling passion' came out 'strong in death.' It was only on Thursday last that he sent up a message requesting that an officer and a trooper of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry should be sent down to Sumner for him, to see the new helmets just adopted by the regiment; a request, which it is needless to say, was promptly and cheerfully complied with. He did good service to his country in his young days; and there will be many now, who, in mourning the loss of Colonel Packe, will at the same time derive some comfort from the reflection that he for whom they grieve was a keen sportsman, a loyal soldier, and a thorough gentleman.  -NZ Mail, 28/10/1882.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.

Thomas Chapman, (1849-21/7/1865). "the Visitation of God"

Coboner's Inquest. — An inquest was held yesterday before the coroner, J. W. S. Coward. Esq., at the George and Dragon hotel, South road, on the body of Thomas Chapman. From the evidence of deceased's father, it appeared that he had been for the last seventeen weeks suffering from what was supposed to be rheumatism, and on Friday last he suddenly became worse, slipped off his chair and died. Stimulants and pain killer had been administered but to no effect. During the illness of the boy medical assistance had not been obtained. Dr. Frankish deposed to having made a post mortem examination, described the state of the heart, and attributed death to pericarditis. A verdict of Died by the Visitation of God was recorded.  -Press, 25/7/1865.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.

Samuel Mardon, (1871-2/2/1891). "genial and obliging ways"

Two lads, Samuel Marden and James Evans, aged 20 and 13 respectively, were drowned to-day through a canoe capsizing m a dam at Mardon's flax mill, Upper Riccarton. No one witnessed the accident but a lad passing saw the boat upset and one of the lad's arms in the water and gave the alarm when the employees at the mill used every effort to recover the bodies. Mardon's father let off the water from the dam, soon after which the bodies were recovered.  -Timaru Herald, 3/2/1891.

 INQUESTS.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the residence of Mr H. Mardon, Upper Riccarton, on the bodies of the two lads who were drowned in the mill-dam on Monday. There were no fresh facts adduced, and the jury returned a verdict of accidentally drowned. The sad affair has cast quite a gloom over the neighbourhood of Riccarton, young Mardon especially being much respected by all with whom he came in contact. The funeral of the two lads will take place at the Riccarton Church this afternoon.  -Star, 4/2/1891.

The Late Drowning Accident at Riccarton. 

The remains of the late Samuel Mardon were interred at the Riccarton cemetery yesterday. The funeral cortege was followed by a very large circle of friends whom young Mardon had made in the short time he had been in the district by his genial and obliging ways. As he belonged to the Oddfellows’ Lodge about thirty-five members led the procession and formed a guard of honour from the gate to the church, the coffin being borne by Bros Bucknell, Carleton, Hanson and Rowland to and from the church. The service was conducted by the Rev W. T. P. Winter. After the usual service the Oddfellows’ service was conducted by the N.G., all, as they left the grave, dropping twigs of thyme into it. The funeral of the lad Evans will take place to-day.  -Lyttelton Times, 5/2/1891.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.

Heaton Rhodes Parkinson, (1872-13/1/1904). "a leader of the 'smart set'"

Obituary — Mr H. R. Parkinson died on Wednesday, and it, is rumoured that he had been suffering some time from poison, and only succumbed to it on Wednesday. Dr Palmer, who was attending the patient, declined lo give a certificate of death, and arrangements were made by Mr Haselden to have an inquest at the Morgue at 4 p.m. yesterday. The late Mr Heaton Rhodes Parkinson was a son of the late Mr T H Parkinson of Kaituna, and was born in Christchurch in 1872. He was educated at the Wanganui College, and at an early age was apprenticed to Messrs Thompson and Turrell, dentists, High street, and was afterwards appointed manager of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Consolidated Dental Company. Mr Parkinson took considerable interest in hunting, and had for some time been Master of the Christchurch Hounds.  -Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertise, 15/1/1904.

THE LATE MR H. R. PARKINSON.

OPENING OF 'THE INQUEST. 

An inquest was held yesterday at the morgue on the body of Heaton Rhodes Parkinson, before Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M., Coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr J. Nicol was foreman. Mr Inspector Gillies conducted the enquiry on the part of the police. 

The following evidence was taken: — 

Geraid Lovatt Stead deposed that he knew the deceased, whose name was Heaton Rhodes Parkinson. On the 4th January deceased and himself left Waikari in a gig to drive home to Parkinson's residence at Upper Riccarton. On arrival at Ashley bridge deceased got out of the gig, and took a nip of whisky from his own flask. Before this he had complained of pains in the stomach. After taking the whisky he was very ill. They stayed there an hour and a quarter, and then witness drove deceased to the hotel at Woodend, where they remained for an hour and thirty-five minutes. The deceased was lying on a bed all the time. Witness then drove deceased to Mr Geo. G. Stead's house at Papanui, and from thence he was taken in a cab to his own house. It was five miles from Mr Stead's house to deceased's residence. Witness saw deceased again on Friday, the 8th inst., at his own house. He told witness that he thought at Ashley bridge he was going to die. He then said he felt very bad. He did not nay anything more than that he felt very bad. Witness asked the deceased what the doctor thought was the matter, and he said the doctor thought that there was a rupture inside. He could not speak very much as his face was swollen a good deal. Witness put the flask out of which deceased drank at Ashley bridge back into his bag, and the bag was put into the cab with deceased. Witness was with deceased from 24th December up to the time of reaching Mr Geo. G. Stead's house. They were at Montrose all the time from the 25th December. Deceased seemed to be in good health during that period. He had not complained until they reached Ashley bridge, but had done so before taking the nip of whisky. Deceased, he should say, was temperate all the time. Witness did not see him after Friday. January 8th. He called on Sunday, the 10th, but was unable to see Mr Parkinson. The housekeeper told witness no one could see him. When he went to the house on Friday, the 8th January, witness saw the housekeeper (Mrs Wright), and only Mrs Wright. 

By the Coroner: Witness had known deceased well for about two years. He had not heard him make use of any expression indicative of suicidal intention.

By Inspector Gillies: Deceased said that he had been engaged to a lady, and the engagement had been broken off. This was about last January, and he understood that the engagement had been existing for about three or four months. The young lady was in Australia at the time deceased spoke. Witness understood that the engagement had been broken off on account of the illness of the young lady. Witness did not know that the young lady had left for England in January last. Witness had no knowledge of the pecuniary position of the deceased, who never referred to it himself. 

By the Foreman: Witness did not take any whisky out of the flask when the deceased did. Witness understood that Dr. Palmer was the doctor referred to. The whisky which was in the flask was obtained at Montrose, Mr W. O. Rutherford's station, and was given to Mr Parkinson by Miss Rutherford. 

The Coroner: I may say, Mr Foreman, nothing turns on the question of the whisky. The contents have been analysed by Mr Bickerton. There was absolutely nothing noxious in the whisky. Dr. Palmer said that so far as Mr Bickerton's analysis went, there was nothing whatever in the whisky to account for the appearances in the body. 

Mr Stead, continuing his evidence, said that as they were coming towards town, between Ashley bridge and Woodend, they met Dr. Murray. Witness wanted deceased to consult him, but he would not. They also passed Dr. Crawshaw's place at Kaiapoi, and witness wanted deceased to go in there, but he would not. Deceased was in pain all the way, and was frequently vomiting. Witness gave deceased some soda water at the Seven Mile Peg Hotel.

Kathleen Wright deposed that she had acted as housekeeper for deceased for five weeks. He left on the 24th December to go to Culverden, and witness remained at the house. He returned on January 4th at about 3.30 p.m. in a cab. He was alone in the cab. Deceased told witness when he arrived that he was very sick. She gave him his letters, and also a drink of sodawater. Witness asked him what he had been having, and he said "Nothing in particular." He seemed very distressed and very sick, and went to bed. She asked deceased if she should send for a doctor, and he said no. Deceased was ill all that night and all the following day. He was retching at intervals, and very thirsty during that time. Witness asked him again on the 5th whether she should send for the doctor, and he said no; that he thought he was getting better. On the next day she again suggested sending for the doctor, but he declined to allow her to do so. On Thursday morning, the 7th, after he had had a very bad night, the deceased agreed to her sending for the doctor, which she did, and Dr. Palmer came about 9 a.m. From his arrival on the 4th till the 7th, deceased had nothing to eat. She gave him albumen water and barley water, and a little milk and soda during this time. Dr. Palmer ordered some medicine, and told her to keep deceased on light diet. He took the medicine, but had nothing to eat. The medicine produced was that sent by Dr. Palmer. The other two bottles had been in the room before the arrival of the medicine sent by Dr. Palmer. Deceased took some Eno's Fruit Salt, and no other medicine beyond that sent by Dr. Palmer. . Witness was with deceased most of the time. For three days and nights, till deceased's man came home, witness was with him night and day. Witness was necessarily out of deceased's room occasionally, but not for long, as he required constant attention. Shy could not say her attendance was so constant but that deceived could have got something to drink for himself, as he was able to get out of bed. After the return of his man, he took charge of deceased from midnight til 4 a.m. Deceased died about 3.45 a.m. on the 13th, when witness was in the room. Dr. Palmer attended the deceased from the 7th onward. He came every day, and sometimes twice a day. Dr. Ovenden came on the night deceased died. Dr. Palmer was in the house when Mr Parkinson died. Dr. Irving came on the morning of the 8th for one visit, as Dr. Palmer was away. From the 4th to the 7th there was no person in the house but witness and deceased. After the 7th witness and Collins (the man servant) and deceased were the only persons in the house. There were no other servants. No one had access to deceased's room, but witness and the man servant, except the doctors. No one gave him anything to eat or drink but witness and the man servant. Deceased made no statement regarding his illness, nor did he take her into his confidence in any way. She knew nothing about his financial condition. He seemed anxious to get better. 

By the Foreman: Witness was a trained nurse. Albumen water was white of egg and water for strengthening the stomach. Deceased never left his room till lie died, except on one occasion, a hot afternoon when she carried him outside. There was no private locker in the room or anything in either of the rooms that deceased could have taken unknown to her. 

The Coroner said he supposed that a search had been made in the rooms.

Inspector Gillies said that a search had been made, and everything taken out of the room.

Witness continuing, said that to her knowledge there was nothing in the house that the deceased could have taken to his detriment after his arrival in the house. There were no poisons of any kind in the room. She was quite clear on that. There was nothing in the shape of medicine in the room except the bottles which were now produced which had been taken charge of by the police. The only other things in the room was the shaving gear of the deceased. There was a chest of drawers, but there was nothing in them that he could take internally. When deceased arrived home witness thought he had a bilious attack. He was not a man who drank too much. She thought that he had eaten something which had disagreed with him. He did not look like a man who had taken too much alcohol.

The Foreman asked why, being a trained nurse, she did not take the matter into her own hands and get a doctor.

Witness replied that she was now sorry she had not taken the matter into her own hands, but she thought it was only an attack of colic.

Herbert Collins deposed that he was valet to deceased, but not a paid servant, as he attended him for his board. This had existed for about nine months. Witness left on the 16th December on a visit to the West Coast. Deceased was then at home. He returned on Thursday, 7th, and found deceased ill in bed. He did not seem to be very ill, and could speak to witness. Mrs Wright was in attendance on him. Witness watched the deceased for several nights. He was working in town from 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. Mrs Wright was in charge solely till he returned home. Witness used to take charge of deceased from eleven o'clock or midnight till 4 or 5 a.m. Deceased had white of eggs in milk, milk and soda, and white of eggs and port wine, and his medicine in water every three hours. Witness gave him what drink he wanted; deceased could not help himself, as he was too ill. Witness was in the room when deceased died. Dr. Palmer was in the room at the time. Witness formed no idea of what was wrong with deceased, who kept vomiting at short intervals. Mr Parkinson said he thought he should be all right in a few days. He knew nothing of the financial position of the deceased. Witness noticed nothing else in the room except the medicine bottles. He had never seen any other poison in the house than these mentioned. Deceased was a strong, healthy man, and witness never knew him to be ill before, or to have any medicine in the house.

Leonard Parkinson deposed that he was a brother of the deceased, and resided at Kaituna. He visited his brother on Wednesday morning last, just before he died. Deceased, in reply to a question from Dr. Palmer, then said that he knew witness, but nothing more. He was then only semiconscious. Witness last saw his brother at Show time, when he was in excellent health. He had suffered from typhoid fever about two years ago, but witness was not aware that he was subject to bilious attacks. His brother's financial position was not very good, but he had never asked witness for money. Deceased had not much money. He was in debt, it might be for a few hundreds. He owned the property (Matlock) where he lived, which would be worth about £1500. Witness thought it was mortgaged. Deceased lived at the rate of, say, £1000 per annum, but all he had as an income vas what he got from the Hunt Club, £300 per annum, out of which he had to keep thirty couples of hounds. The deceased and himself were on friendly terms. The trip to Montrose Station had nothing to do with money matters. It was purely a pleasure trip. 

By the Foreman: Deceased had no occupation, except that of Master of the Hounds. Witness did not know of his having money troubles. Witness could not offer any solution of the cause of death. Deceased inherited about £4000 or £5000 about 1901, but he could not say where the money had gone. His brother had been a very temperate man. At this stage the inquest was adjourned till 10 a.m. to-day, at the Magistrate's Courthouse.  -Press, 15/1/1904.

DEATH OF MR PARKINSON

[Special to the Stab.] CHRISTCHUECH, January 18. 

It is reported that the police have found a bottle of poison near the spot where Mr Parkinson, when driving to Christchurch, got out and, took a drink of whisky, and have also found evidence of poison in the cup of the drinking flask. The police admit that the mystery will be cleared up at the adjourned inquest on Friday.  -Evening Star, 18/1/1904.

THE PARKINSON AFFAIR

RESUMPTION OF THE INQUEST 

The adjourned inquest touching the death of the late Heaton Rhodes Parkinson was resumed this afternoon at the Magistrate's Courthouse, before Mr W. R. Haselden, District Coroner, and a jury of six. Inspector Gillies appeared to conduct the case. 

Gerald Lovatt Stead, re-called, stated he drove with the deceased from Montrose station to Amberley on January 3, not, as previously stated, on January 4. They stayed the night at the Amberley Hotel, and left at about 8.35 a.m. on January 4. At about 9 p.m. on January 3 witness and deceased had a drink from deceased's flask. They were then in the Waipara river-bed. Witness had the first drink, mixing the whisky with water taken from the river. The flask and cup produced were those carried by the deceased. Neither of them suffered any ill effects from the drink. He saw the cup before they left Montrose, and it was then a brighter colour inside than it was now. They reached Ashley Bridge at about 10.15 a.m. on January 4, and stopped about two chains south of the bridge at the deceased's request. The latter got out of the cart and asked for his flask, which witness gave him. He poured out some liquor from the flask, filling the cup about three-parts full, and returned the flask to witness, turning away and saying something about getting water. He moved away towards the bridge, taking the cup with him. When he had gone about three feet on to the bridge, he stopped for a few seconds, and then came back to the cart. He said, "I'm not going to wait for any water, here goes." He then drank what was in the cup, and returned it to witness. Deceased, when on the bridge, could have put something into the cup without witness seeing him. After giving witness the cup deceased walked over to some willows, about a chain and a half away, and stayed thereabout five minutes, vomiting severely. When he returned to the cart he began to vomit again. They stayed at the bridge for an hour and a quarter, deceased vomiting frequently during that time. Witness had no whisky from the flask after the deceased drank, nor did the latter offer him any. Witness noticed the cup a little while after deceased returned it to him. It was then a greyish colour inside, and its appearance was very different from that it had at Montrose. On Saturday, January 17, witness and Sergeant Fouhy went to the Ashley Bridge. The sergeant found a small bottle (produced) close to the bridge. The bottle was found in a place close to where the deceased had stood on the bridge, and could have fallen there if he had dropped it. 

William Fouhy, sergeant of police, stated that on January 15 he searched the stables used by the deceased at Riccarton. He found there the bottle produced, labelled as a solution of perchloride of mercury, and marked poison. He handed it to Mr Bickerton on January 16. On January 17 he went to Ashley Bridge with the last witness and found the small bottle produced close to the bridge, and some three or four feet below its level. There was no cork in the bottle, which contained about a small thimble-full of liquid. 

Bernard Francis Derby stated that he was a chemist carrying on business in Christchurch, under the style of Wallace and Co. He remembered the deceased purchasing from him on February 3, 1903, the large bottle produced, containing a solution of perchloride of mercury in water and ammonia. Deceased said that he intended to use the solution as a wash for his stables. 

Alexander Bickerton stated that he was a Government analyst. In October, 1903, Dr Palmer sent him some sherry for analysis. It contained about 2 per cent of mercuric chloride, a powerful poison. On January 15 he received from Sergeant Fouhy portions of the deceased's organs. He analysed them, and found in the stomach distinct traces of metallic mercury, and the appearances he found were absolutely consistent with mercuric poisoning. He received a bottle containing 15 per cent of corrosive sublimate, a solution of chloride of mercury. He received a small blue bottle (produced) on January 18. It contained a few drops of a solution of perchloride of mercury, the proportion of mercury being 16 per cent. He also received the cup produced, and found that it contained a little metallic mercury, chloride of ammonia, chloride of zinc and chloride of copper. If the cup had been gilded inside the touching it with mercury would have been sufficient to precipitate the zinc and copper. The poisons he had found in October were of the same class as those found in his recent investigations.

Herbert John Collins, re-called, deposed that before he left the deceased's house for the West Coast in December last, deceased asked witness to have a glass of champagne with him. They had a glass together. Then deceased took another glass, stood by the fireplace, and said "A Happy New Year, and good luck on the Coast. You may not see me when you return." Witness asked what he meant, and deceased told him, he didn't know why he said it. Witness didn't want to go away after that, but deceased told him to go, and think no more of what he had said.  -Star, 22/1/1904.

The sensation of last week down Christchurch way was the very sudden, and wholly unexpected death of Mr. Heaton Rhodes Parkinson, who was a leader of the "smart set," Master of the Hounds, and who has been a very conspicuous figure in the social circles of the City of the Plains during recent years. It was generally thought that suicide was the cause of death, but at the inquest it was brought out that H. R. P. had given a hint of the pursuit of some enemy. He was his own worst enemy, however, as his brief life history shows. The son of parents who, in the early Canterbury days, were the employees of the Rhodes's, he was born some twenty-seven years ago, and was named after a member of the noted family. Mr. Parkinson pere in the course of time made much money, and, when he passed away, left his three sons the handsome legacy of from ten to twelve thousand pounds each. Two of the sons put their fortune into land, becoming farmers. H. R. P., however, determined to have a good time, and became a leader of fashionable society. He made a tour of the world, and then settled down in expensive bachelor quarters, in which he had a very fine collection of china. A destructive fire, however, extinguished the collection. It was current gossip a year ago that he was to marry a young widow of wealth and beauty from Australia, and he actually began the task of preparing his future home, purchasing among other little items a three hundred guinea piano. But, it was not to be, and there appears to be mystery about his passing hence.  -Free Lance, 23/1/1904.

Deceased’s valet stated that before he left deceased to pay a visit to the West Coast, deceased, in bidding him good-bye, said; "You may not see me when you return.” Evidence was also given as to the hopelessly involved state of the deceased’s financial affairs. He was overdrawn at the bank to the extent of £1,800. 

The Coroner, in summing up, said that it was reasonable to suppose that the deceased, from some cause or other, had determined to take his life at a particular place and in a particular way. If the jury decided that the deceased took his life, and that no other person was responsible for the occurrence, the only point to be decided was the question of sanity. The jury returned the following, verdict: — “That the deceased died from the result of a dose of irritant poison —namely perchloride of mercury — intentionally self administered on January 4 at the Ashley bridge, and that no blame or suspicion is attachable to any other person.”  -Evening Star, 23/1/1904.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.

7/867 Major Guyon Kenneth Macdonald RAF, (6/8/1889-21/11/1919). "to shoot rabbits"

SHOOTING TRAGEDY

MAJOR MACDONALD KILLED

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov., 21

A sad accident occurred at Cheviot this morning, resulting in the death of Major Guyon Kenneth Macdonald, late of the Royal Flying Corps. The information to hand states that Major Macdonald went out with his gun about 7 a.m. to shoot rabbits. A shot was heard shortly, afterwards, and as he did not return for breakfast, a search was made, and. he was found dead, lying beside a fence. 

Major MacDonald, R.A.F., was the. eldest son of Mr and Mrs R. M. Macdonald, of Bealey Avenue. When aged 25, he enlisted in November, 1914, in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles portion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and went into camp at Featherston. From Egypt he went to England to take up a commission in the Sherwood Foresters (the Notts and Derby Regiment), and in 1915 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. After spending some months in training he joined the 54th Squadron in France in April of the same year. In September, 1916, Major Macdonald was dangerously wounded in an air fight, but managed to get back to his aerodrome. For several months he was incapacitated by his wounds, and also suffered severely from shock. Afterwards he was appointed a flying instructor at Grantham, England, and at various other aerodromes. In 1918 he was promoted to captain and was appointed wing-examiner in the south-eastern district. Subsequently he was promoted major and attached to headquarters, London. In April of the present year he was demobilised and returned to the Dominion.

Major Macdonald, who was born in August, 1889, was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and later, was at Canterbury, Agricultural College, Lincoln. For some time prior to enlisting he was engaged in farming in the Cheviot district. Major Macdonald leaves a widow (the eldest daughter of Mr John Grigg, of Longbeach) and two young children.  -Ashburton Guardian, 22/11/1919.

Guyon Macdonald's service with 54 Squadron (formed 5/5/1916) althoutgh short, seems to have encompassed the end of their duties as a Home Defence Squadron flying outdated aircraft and its re-equipment with the Sopwith Pup. No. 54 moved to France in December, 1916, so it cn be assumed that his September wound was suffered over Britain.

DEATHS.

MACDONALD — On Friday, 21 November, at Spotswood, Guyon Kenneth, beloved husband of Marjory Macdonald, and eldest son of Ranald and Gertrude Macdonald, of "Hambleton," Christchurch; aged 30 years.  -Press, 22/11/1919.

ACCIDENTALLY SHOT.

MAJOR MACDONALD'S DEATH. 

An inquest on the death of Major Guyon Kenneth Macdonald, late of the R.A.F., was held at the deceased's homestead, "The Grange," Spotswood, North Canterbury, on Saturday, before Mr C. H. Willis, J.P., acting-coroner, and a jury. 

In evidence it was stated that Major Macdonald usually went out with a gun to shoot rabbits before breakfast. 

H. Harbison, an employee of the estate, stated that he had found deceased's body lying near a wire fence, the gun having fallen on the far side. Witness, who had been employed on "The Grange" for some years, knew the gun to be unsafe, as it was light in the pull. 

The verdict returned was that Major Macdonald met his death through the accidental discharge of a gun whilst crossing a wire fence.  -Sun, 25/11/1919.

St Peters Churchyard, Christchurch.