DEATH OF A PRISONER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 827, 27 May 1910, Page 6

DEATH OF A PRISONER.

THE INQUEST, An. inquest was held at the Hospital yesterday afternoon by Mr. W. E. Haseldon, S.M., concerning the death of a prisoner named Ohas. Wm. Nicholson, who died whilst undergoing a sentence ■ of a month's imprisonment for theft, at the Terrace Gaol. Deceased, who was a labourer, was admitted to the hospital on May 19. When he was admitted to the gaol he was in poor , health, apparently suffering horn exposuro and tho result of excessive drinking. He was put on "hard labour" diet and was sent to work for two days. He inade no complaint until May 19 when Dr. Gilmer was called ' to attend him. Sidney Geo. Millington, gaoler, stated that Nicholson was attended to' by the gaol authorities, witness giving orders that the prisoner should be carefully looked after. He was subsequently removed to the hospital. Harold IST. Richardson, warder at the gaol, said accused was apparently fit to work when he reached the gaol, but ho was obviously suffering from tie effects of drink. When on his way to the hospital the prisoner said: "Thn is tho fruits of sleeping out in the wet, while on. the drunk." Dr. Gilmer said Nicholson was Buffering from acute bronchitis wheu Bβ first attended him. Pneumonia was almost certain to supervene as the result of alcoholism and exposure. He ordered Nicholson to tho hospital immediately. Dr. Foster, medical superintendent of the hospital, said that two days after- his admission to the hospital, Nicholson developed pneumonia on the left side and died at 6 a.m. yesterday as a result of the pneumonia. A. verdict- of death' from natural causes was returned. Sergeant Matheson represented the police at the in- ■■ quiry.