INQUEST.
An inquest was held by Mr H. Y. Widdowson yesterday on the body of David Harris, aged 64 years, who was found dead in his hut at 136 Albany street early in the morning. Deceased was a marine dealer. Annie Harris, wife of the deceased, said she had been living apart from him for the last 10 years, and he had been staying in Albany street. Witness saw him last in November, when he appeared to be in good health, though he had evidently been drinking. Witness was not aware of any malady from which he suffered.
Alexander Scott said he had known deceased since 1914. Since his return from the war he had seen deceased now and again, and on Monday about 6 p.m. witness went home with him, having met him in the vicinity of the Oriental Hotel. The deceased had evidently had some drink, but witness would not like to say that he was under the influence of liquor. On Tuesday morning witness called in to see him, and on walking into the hut found him lying on the floor. As soon as witness discovered that the man was dead he rang up the police to have the body removed to the Morgue.
Constable Herbe gave evidence that when he visited the hut he concluded that the deceased had fallen off a stool which was standing close beside the body. The bed had apparently not been occupied on Monday night. There was some whisky in a pannikin.
The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony of Dr Evans that death was due to heart failure following sclerosis of the liver. -Otago Daily Times, 9/4/1919.
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