FATAL FALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 136, 12 June 1933, Page 8

FATAL FALL.

BODY IN THEATRE BUILDING

TARTY OF MEN WITH DRINK

(By Telegrapli.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sunday.

"The whole tiling was disgraceful, and it is evident that it was the result of what was more or less a drinking bout," said the coroner, Sir. E. Gilbertsou, at an inquest into the death of Leo Stephen Curtis, whose body was found at the back of the Empire Theatre building, Petone, early last Monday morning. The coroner returned a verdict that dc.ith was due to injuries received through falling over a staircase. James Swaysland said it was customary for a party of men to go toi the theatre building on Sunday evening for a drink. About 10 p.m. witness found deceased lying on the floor at the bottom of tho stairs, and told him he had better go home. Witness put a seat under liim, thinking he would go

home when sober. Alexander Balneavis said that all the party were more or less drunk, but there were no arguments or lights. He had left deceased lying on the floor thinking bo was drunk, but not injured. After hearing medical evidence the coroner said lie gathered that deceased tripped over a staircase and fell to the concrete floor below. In reply to tho coroner's question whether the building was the usual place for orgies, Detective McLennan stated that it had been rented to a local sporting body, but he had arranged for strict control of the keys and no further trouble would result.