THE DEATH ON BOARD THE TARAWERA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4529, 4 December 1884, Page 2

THE DEATH ON BOARD THE TARAWERA.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Gleeson's Hotel, before Dr. Fhilson, coroner, on the body of James Coonan, who d'ed on Thursday morning on heard the Tarawera, during her passage from Sydney to Auckland; Mr Winfield Higgins, foreman. Sergeant Clarke represented the police. Edward Curry, chief stoward, deposed that the vossol was now lying at the Queen-street Wharf. Had seen the body of deceased in the morgue, which ho identified as tho body of Coonan. He went on board at Sydney at _ p.m. on the 27th nit. The vessel sailedat 4.30 p.m. Did not then take particular notico of him, but on tho following morning he observed that he was shaking vory much, and asked for a drink, He gave him a glass of brandy. Ho was quite sensible. He took his meals with the other steerage passengers. In the evening, about 10 o'clock, he got light-headed and talked incoherently about borses. He was evidently delirious. Several of the passengers called his attention to the man. He went to him, and persuaded him to lie down* and bo quiet. Ho was very restless and troublesome. He did not ask for_ any more liquor. He passed the night quietly. Ho took a fair meat on Saturday, the 29th. Had two glasses of shandy-gaff, or rather, lemonade and beer. Did not give him any spirits. Did not think that there was anything serious. He wandered all over the ship talking to tho passongors about horses, which seemed to be his favourite subject. On Saturday evening he had a fit, and on Sunday he called Captain Sinclair's attention to him. Gave him beef-tea, and he seomed a little better. Ho was taken on deck. The captain gave him some medicine, and he seemed all right, and began to talk about horses again. Ho was placed comfortably in a cabin on the port side. A man, Antonio, was told off to sit with him during the night. Did not see him alive after that. He went to see him, when the keeper said he was sleeping. Did not like to disturb him. He might have been dead at the time. He called subsequently, and Antonio said "Still sleeping." About 8 o'clock on Monday morning, the man was found dead. Was not present at his death. He had about three glasses of brandy, his other drinks were lemonade and ginger ale. The bottle of rum produced was given by his mate at the request of deceased and his friend to take care of it for him. It was not in Coonan's possession during the voyage. He appeared to be 25. He said he had been drinking heavily in Sydney. Captain Wm. Sinclair, master of the s.s. Tarawera, deposed that he was told on Saturday that a passenger was a little queer. He saw him afterwards with a plate of plum pudding before him. He was trembling all over. Spoke to him,but could get no satisfactory answer. He was evidently in a state of delirium tremeiw. He prescribed for him. Had no medical man on board. Ordered a watch to be set over him, and got his pocket-knife from him on tbe promise that he should receive it on landing in Auckland. Made up a bed for him in the bath-room, and there he died. Every attention was shown to him. Tbe cause of death, be believed, was excessive drinking, but not through drink-*----ing on board. Would not allow him but one glass of brandy por diem. On soarch ■ ing his pockets aftor death, L 9 9s 6d in gold and silver were found in his purse. He also had a silver watch and chain, a box of wearing apparel as por list, and a small diary inscribed " James Coonan,County Tippeiary, Ireland," showing further that deceased had been a cart-driver in Sydney. Sergeant Andrew Clarke gave evidence as to receiving tho body and effects. Tho jury returned tho verdict, " Died from tho effects of delirium tremens, brought on by excessive drinking."