"CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM."

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 100, 26 April 1912, Page 2

"CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM."

I INQCEST AT WSATAV\HAIA. I CBt Telegraph,—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. i An inquest on the body of Jolin Talbot I Pauner, wio died suddenly in his camp | ; near Yvaiteuuia on Xuteii... . . wa= ! held at Wbatawhata T»>t.',. ( . tlll - evidence shewed tiiat ii«tt«at™ ..... into i Whatawhata township i>u jwuuaj «uternoon, and had a few drinks oi w.nuapps. Between then and bedtime he purcnused . two bottles of sekiiappe, and expressed ! his intention of returning to camp next i morning. lie borrowed a horse to go to camp, taking the schnapps in a sugar bag. After going two miles he was found on a wrong road by a ; wagoner, who put him on the right track. i The wagoner endeavoured to get the liquor away from Paln:-er, .but without i I success. ! ' Another witness who took a fr'.endiy ; interest in Palmer, rode out to \\'ha.ca- ( svbata after him to see if lie- v>as I nil righi. lie found Palmer going on ' the light road, and quite capable of I inking care of himself. I Another witness said he was in the j . L,ukhouse at the camp when he heard i deceased calling for someone to assist' liiiu ■ down a hill. He had no liorse, I but hud a bag containing bottles. De-1 ! ceased was lying on the ground, and: 'was wet through when he reached tamp.' Deceased asked Kitties.- to open the i bottles and have a driak. Witness' opened a bottle of schnapps, but did not ' ' have any. Deceased asked tor meat and bread, which witness g\tve him. Witness offered to make J'aliuc-i' some lea, but Palmer refused it. Deceased asked for a small nip. Witness poured ouc a ( little drop, and put it on a box beside ' him. When deceased reached out for j the pannikin he knocked the box over; and spilled the liquor, lie then asked '■ for more. Witness advised him to have; ■ tome rood first. Palmer wouitl not eat, [ : however, until he had had a little drop' of drink. Witness gave him a small . nip. which he drank, and he then had ! something to cat. He immediately beganto cough. Iff; was sitting on the ground, and appeared to be about to Tall over, ; i.o witness p\it an arm around him to : hold him. Witness could see that dr-' ceased was getting weaker, and shortly ' afterwards found he was dead. This w.i<? I about 7.15 pjn. Deceased w.is an edu ■ ' cated man. whose friends reside in ; Ireland. He wns evidently a hrivy drinker. A verrli>-t was returned, -'That death was caused by chronic alcoholism" 1 :