DEATH OF OAMARU MAN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23918, 9 April 1943, Page 7

DEATH OF OAMARU MAN

INVESTIGATIONS BY POLICE tO.R.) . OAMARU, April'B. Police investigations are in progress at Port Chalmers as a result of the death in the Oamaru Public Hospital on Tuesday of Eric Courtney Devlin, sged about 27, a single man. employed as a butcher at the Pukeuri freezing works. It is stated that death was due to head injuries, allegedly received at Port Chalmers on Saturday night, when Devlin was spending the weekend there. Devlin was admitted to hospital on Monday at 5 p.m., and treated for cerebral hemorrhage. He died at 4 p.m, on Tuesday. At that time there was no indication as to how that condition had developed. Subsequently, however, it became known.that Devlin had been injured at Port Chalmers on the previous Saturday night, and a post-mortem examination was ordered. An inquest was opened at Oamaru this afternoon before Mr J. L. McPhail, J.P., and a jury comprising Messrs J. F. Tonkin (foreman), J. D. Forbes, H. Coulter, and J. McJennett.

Evidence of identification was given by Walter Joseph Devlin, farmer, of Tawai, Glenavy.

Senior-Sergeant T. I. McGregor, in asking for an adjournment, said the Dunedin police were investigating the case. A post-mortem examination had revealed a fracture of the .back of the head, five inches long, and laceration of the brain.

The proceedings were adjourned sine die.