“A death under anaesthetic occurred at the Auckland Hospital on Wednesday, Mr. Lionel R. Haysom, a clerk, aged 23, succumbing during an operation. An inquest waa held by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., yesterday. The evidence shewed that deceased, who went into camp with the twenty-second reinforcements, was in a military hospital for some time, and in March, 1917, was discharged, owing to ill health. Three months ago he went to the hospital suffering from chronic tuberculous empyema, and was operated upon. A further operation was deemed necessary on Wednesday. An anaesthetic was administered by Dr. Nicholson, and Dr. Kinder performed the operation. The operation was almost completed when deceased collapsed. Dr. Kinder said death was due to syncope while under a general anaesthetic, and added that this type of case was a notoriously bad anaesthetic risk. The coroner found in accordance with the medical evidence, and added that the operation was proper and necessary, and was performed with proper skill and care.”

[New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16984, 18 October 1918, Page 4]