REFUSED SHELTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 113, 12 May 1908, Page 3

REFUSED SHELTER.

INTALID'S TERRIBLE EXPERUSNCfc;.

JUJRY.-DEJIAISTDS INVESTIGATION,

An inquest was held at Gleeson's Hotel yesterday afternoon, before the Coroner Air. T. Gresham, on the body of the man William Amos, who died suddenly in Upper Qneen-street on Sunday afternoon. Sergeant Hendry stated that ,deceased was 4Q years of age, and a plumber by trade. Amos went to the police-station on Saturday evening, and asked could he be locked up or provided with shelter for the night. He informed witness that he had been trying at Onehunga and Auckland to get accommodation, for which he had plenty of money to pay. He had begged for shelter, he said, until fit to drop, andi had then obtained shelter in a shed. On arrival in Auckland on Saturday, he went to a number of hotels for accommodation, but was refused. Witness ultimately β-ocured accommodation for him at the Clarendon Hotel, where Amos received every attention.

Dr. Parkes gave evidence to the effect that when the man was brought to his surgery he was dead. The body was very muck emaciated, and a post-mortem examination revealed evidence of advanced tubercular disease and other complications. The cause of death was heart failure from exhaustion, dtue to the disease mentioned.

Robert Clark said that on Saturday evening he sa.w deceased in Karangahaperoad. He was then trying to reach. King's Court boarding-nouse, in Upper Queenstreet. Witness took him to the place, but deceased was rerused admission, and informed that the house was quite full, and referred to the People's Palace' in Wellesley-street East. Witness took Amos to the People's Palace, and, though the matron said she had fourpenny beds, she refused to take deceased in. Next a hotel was tried, but without success, though witness explained that Amos had money to pay. Deceased said he was willing to shake down anywhere, but was refused. Witness added that the man was absolutely free of drink, and except that he looked an invalid l , witness could imagine no other reason for the repeated refusals to grant accommodation.

Mrs- Nora Lynch, of the Clarendon Hotel, said she had immediately taken Amos in when the police told her he was ill. He was well looked after, and her brother escorted him at 1.30 towards the Onehunga car, where he was to take boat for Wellington. Witness also gave evidence of deceased's sobriety.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence, and added appreciation of the kindness shown deceased by Mrs. Lynch and Mr. Clark. A rider was added as follows: "We trust that the fact that certain hotelkeepers refused to allow deceased shelter and accommodation will be investigated and dealt with by the proper tribunal."