SUDDEN DEATH IN THE POLICE CELLS.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 18, 21 July 1898, Page 6

SUDDEN DEATH IN THE POLICE CELLS.

A death even more unexpected than that of the man M'Lcnnan in the Police Station last week occurred in the Lambton-quay cells early this morning, the victim being an old mau named Cornelius Sullivan, who is said to have been between 70 and SO years of age. It appears that yesterday afternoon a complaint v.as made to the police that a drunken man wa* being stoned by boys on Lamblon-quay.and ho in turn was throwing stones and behaving in a most disorderly inaimer. 'f here was, of course, no appearance o£ boys when Sersjcant Mulville arrived on tho scene, and as tho man, who proved to be Sullivan, was still " carrying on,"' ho was taken into custody, and lodged in one of tho police cells. At night he had two "room mates," and all were well supplied with blankets, and frequently >isitod by the sergeant in clmxgc and the vtatehhouse-kooper. Nothing unusual was noticed in Sullivan's appearance and health, and he had often been before the Court on prior occasions on similar charges. When deceased threw off his blankets on one occasion during the night, one of his fellow-prisoners eo\eml him over again, but Sullivan, it is stated, was not heard to moan or make any complaint, and they were as much surprised as anyone when he was found dead at 4.30 this morniug by Coustable Baker, who was in charge of the watchhouse at that lime, and who had not long betore paid one of his regular visits to the cells'. Dr. Cahill was instantly sent for, but •when he arrived the old man was beyond medical aid. His death is supposed to have been due to heart disease. An inquest was opened at noon at the office of the Coroner (Mr. Ashcroft). Mr. TV. H. Tisdall was chosen foreman of the juiy. After hearing the evidence of one occupant of the cell, the enquiry was adjourned till 2 o'clock to-morrow, to enable a.post-mortem examination of the body to be made. While in the cell viewing the body, the Coroner commented on the coldness of the compartment, and expressed the opinion that there should be a fire there. Several jurymen expressed themselves similarty, and all thought that the prisoners should be supplied with mattresses to lie upon, though there appeared to be plenty of blankets.