THE INQUEST.

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

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held this afternoon at the Auckland Betel, before Dr. Phiison, coroner, and a jury, on the body of Charles Padon, who was found dead in tho lock-up of the police-station last night. Mr Alfred William Ryan, was foreman.

John Wadham, plumber, deposed that he saw deceased last night at John Abbott's stables, in Victoria - street. John Abbott put the man out; of his house in Victoria-street ; he also told Serjeant Sanderson that a man was lying in there. He immediately sent up two constables to remove the deceased to the station. A wheelbarrow was procured, and the deceased who was unable to walk was conveyed to the station. He appeared to be helpless and was unable to move. He made no noise ;he did not shout. He saw him no more alive. Padon was a stranger to him.

Constable Robert J. Gillies gave evidence to the effect that he was desired to accompany O'Eeilly te Victoria-street, where the man was lying stupidly drunk. A conveyance was brought. He noticed that the man was breathing. He seemed insensible. The door of the cell was left open to admit freah air. The man smelt strongly of drink. He left him on his left side. He looked in at eight and nine, and found the man in the same state. He believed at last that the man was dead.

Detective Jeffrey gave corroborative evidence ai to tha bringing the man to the station ; ;he had known him for nine years ; he was a solicitor; he came from Nelson, where he practised, bub was not successful ; his age was 43 j he first knew him. in Christchurch, where he was clerk to a . very large firm of commission merchants. He came to Auckland three montl B ago, but had done nothing. He usually slept out of nights. He had been convicted five times for drunkenness at the Police Court. Saw him brought into the station last night. He was insensibly drunk. The sum of £13 53 5d was found on him.

Dr John Henry Hooper, of Hobson-street, did not % know deceased ; was called to him about nine o'clock ; found him quite dead in the celler of the station, lying on his right side ; a thick coat was under his head ; smelt strongly ofjrum; he was not much emaciated; his physical condition was not bad; he believed that death resulted from the effects ?of drink, from a serous effusion on the train. The police did everything that could be done for him. He was in such a state from drink that nothing could have saved him long. Detective Jeffrey said that the money which deceased had about him was the price of some mining stock.

The jury returned a verdict excessive drinking."