MELANCHOLY DEATH IN THE POLICE STATION.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1661, 15 June 1875, Page 3

MELANCHOLY DEATH IN THE POLICE STATION.

Another victim of the fearful effects of excessive drinking was witnessed this morning stretched upon the hard pavement of the police cell. It was none other than the wretched man, Charles Padon, said to nave been a banister, but not in practice. It was only a few days ago that Mr. Beckham gave Padon his liberty on the promise that he would leave the place and endeavour to lead a new and better life ; and in making the promise he spoke with apparent sincerity upon the desirability of such a change; but no sooner had he escaped into the free air, than he rushed back to the sink of degradation and drank until his brain and legs refused to perform their Datura! functions. He was found helpless and dead drunk at seven o'clock last evening by Constable Reilly who assisted him to the station on a wheel-barrow, as the unfortunate man. could not staifd on his legs. He was wheeled to the station and sheltered for the night as it was supposed; but within two hours after his incarceration, audible groans were heard and strange mutterings, when the constable went to ascertain the cause, and found Padon in the throes of death; he had promised to leave the province, but did not u'o so, although he had £13 in his pocket. The prisoner was found dead a little before nine o'clock. Dr Hooper was sent for, but the man had passed away. Padon was fortyfour, was educated, and held the position of a barrister, we believe, in Nelson ; thus affording another example of the far.nl habit *of intemperance. It is a remarkable fact that three men, who have been discharged through the leniency of the Resident Magistrate, have come to an untimely end, viz., Shiers, Savage, and Padon. An inquest will be held this afternoon at two o'clock.