INQUESTS.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6627, 18 December 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

INQUESTS.

si An inqoeet was held jesterdayatthe Biccarton Hotel, before Mr B. Beetham, coroner, and a jury of six, touching the death of a man who was found dead in Hagley Park, yesterday morning. Duncan MoCallum, gatekeeper at the Biccarton Boad crossing, was walking in the Park and saw a man lying in a cook of hay. He informed Mr Weir who ordered the man away. The man replied, "I'm dying." A Mr Curtis, who waa with Mr Weir, went for the police. The man had his clothes unbuttoned. Jas. Weir, who saw the man, thought from his actions that he was drunk. Witness went a second time wifh Curtis, and thf y decided to send for the police. When Curtis had gone Weir again addressed the man who'fcepeated that he was dying. Witness went away, bnt on his return the man was dead. Constable Lewis, who went with Curtis, described the deceased's appearance, and stated what was fonnd on him. John Dale, a boarding-house keeper in Manchester street, deposed to the deceased having stayed at his house on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The man was very bilious. He did not know his name. The man did not appear to be drinking or drank. Mr Beetham—Constable Lewis's report states that the man waa drinking heavily, did you tell him that. Witness—l did not. Mr Beetham—Then the constable is telling a lie. Witness—The man was shaky from drink. Mr Beetham—Now be careful what yon cay. Is it true that the man was shaky from drink ?

Witness—lt is not true that I saw the man drink or drunk. He might have been shaky from drink from his appearance. Mr Beetbam—What was his appearance ? Witness—He could not eat nis breakfast. Mr Beetham—Did he ask for drink ? Witness—No •. I suggested that he should Bend for soanv He went out, and witness knew nothing more aboct the man. The C rorier stated the circumstances fey which he ha»l deemed it advisable not to have a post mortem t lamination, and added tti&t it tbe jury were not saticfi'd as to the man dying from the effects of drink, they could ask for a post mortem, and the inquest could be adjourned until tbat had been held. . The jury retired, to after which I they asked for a post mortem and an analysis of the brandy found. I The inqueßt was resumed at 5 p.m., j when Constable Lewis was recalled, and i made a statement as to what the man j Dale had told him. . . Dr. Moorhouse deposed that he made a ' post mortem examination. The man was ! apparently over fifty, well nourished, and : bore no marks of violence. In the head there was an extreme amount of fluid presricgon the brain, which showed signs of old in flan m%tion, the liver was enlarged, and serotic, probably from drink. A'l • other organs were healthy. The stomach • was distended with fluid apparently beer. ; The approximate cause of death was seroua \ apoplexy. ' j To a Juror—The probabilities were tha*. i the man's death was accelerated by drink. I The jury found a verdict in accordance j with the medical testimony. j The Coroner recalled Dale whom he re- [ primanded for the way he gave his cvi-! dence. ■■'■■ |