INQUEST ON THE BODY OF WILLIAM KINLEY.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2607, 26 August 1878, Page 3

INQUEST ON THE BODY OF WILLIAM KINLEY.

AN inquest was held this afternoon at the Charlemont Hotel, before Dr. Philson, coroner, and a jury of 14, on the body of William Kinley, who was found dead in his bed. Mr Henry Joseph Sims, foreman. Sergeant-Major Mason represented the police.

The following evidence was taken : — Francis McCann deposed : I am a mercantile clerk, lately arrrived by the Lady Jocelyn. Am lodging at the Blue Post. Have known the deceased nine mouths. Met him firft at Belfast. He was a fellowpassenger from Ireland. I believe he was a butcher by trade. He told me so. He sain his age was 35. He was going with his cousin, now in Auckland, to Port Lyttelton. Deceased tola me he had a wife and^ five children at home in Ireland. . Last Saturday evening I called on his cousin, James Ki'nlev, at the Blue Post at eight o'clock, and saw deceased taking his tea. He was sitting on a bed. About ten persons were present, all immigrants. He said to me, •' Dou't you go out, I want to take a walk with you." After tea we took a walk in the streets. He was in liquor at the time, and I should say not capable of taking care of himself. I was sober. He said he would goto the Charlemont Hotel, and we left together. He took my arm, and staggered slightly. I took a bottle of whiskey or brandy out of his pocket. Did not taste it. Witness then deposed to having visited a number of hotels at the earnest solicitation of deceased. About nine o'clock he helped him up stairs to a bed-room at the Charelemont Hotel. He sat down oil the bed and talked of writing home to his father, and asked for ink and paper; he then altered his mind, put oft writing, and would go out into the street, and witness accompanied him. When they came back witness took oft his coat; he wished for. a glass of beer to put him to sleep. A bottle was brought up, aud witness helped him into bed, laying him on his left side, because he had injured his right arm on the ship. , He was thoroughly drunk. Witness did not awake till half-past seven next morning. When on going to rouse deceased he saw that his neck and right cheek were black. Dr. Hooper was immediately sent for. Witness did not know the deceased had any money. He had frequently seen him drunk. ■ ■ . ~ Dr Hooper deposed that he found the man quite dead. The position he was in tended to obstruct his breathing or prevent it altogether. He had probably fallen over in his sleep and suffocated whiie in a state of intoxication. John Quinn, barman, also gave evidence.