SUDDEN DEATH.

Evening Star, Issue 7933, 14 June 1889, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH.

James Lindsay, a middle-aged man, died very suddenly in his bed at the Spanish Restaurant yesterday. He had only arrived from the country on Tuesday, and took up his quarters at the restaurant immediately after arrival. He had been drinking a good deal, however, sineo ho came to town. An acquaintance of deceased’s last saw him alive. He was then in bed, seemed in good health, and made some remark about a plate of soup which his friend had conveyed to him. He was later visited again by the same person, who found him just breathing his last. Dr Davis was communicated with, but upon arrival pronounced life to be extinct. THE INQUEST was held at the Spanish Restaurant this morning, before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six, of whom Mr A. M, Loasby was chosen foreman, and the following evidence tendered : Robert Templeton, draper, residing at Waimea, Southland, had known deceased for several years, and found him in the train which witness joined at Waimea siding. Witness came on to Dunedin, deceased stopping at Gore, and either on Tuesday or Wednesday night witness met deceased at the railway station, They proceeded to the Spanish Restaurant, and on the following morning witness went to the room of deceased, who complained of feeling unwell. Witness obtained some brandy and sodawater for deceased, who drank one glass while witness was present. Brandy had been procured for deceased before that, and the latter had had several drinks with witness when at Gore, Witness believed that he himself was under the influence of liquor. There was nothing wrong with deceased when witness first met him. Witness took a {date of soup to deceased’s room while the atter person was still in bed, holding the plate while deceased took the soup. There was nothing palpably wrong with deceased, except that he was suffering from the effects of drink. Later in the afternoon witness proceeded again to the room of deceased, whom he found lying on the bed, dead. Witness thought deceased was an Englishman, but could not say whether he was married.

Maggie Honeyman, housemaid at the Spanish Restaurant; Allan Cameron, night porter; and David Hunter, manager, also gave evidence, which went to show that deceased had taken little or no food since his arrival, but had partaken freely of spirits outside. He was heard by the housemaid to moan loudly and n utter .to himself during the afternoon, and had complained to the manager of feeling unwell, especially about the bowels.

Dr Davis said that after being called in yesterday afternoon about half-past four, be found deceased lying in the bed with his head resting against the wall, lifeless. The body \fras warm; the exposed parts cold. There were no marks of violence about deceased. The room smelt very strongly of drink, while vomit was also in the room, There was no smell indicating the presence of poison. Judging from the position of deceased, witness would be of opinion that he died without making a struggle. The body was partially dressed. Iti witness’s opinion-, deceased died from alcoholic coma caused by excessive drinking. Witness would expect moaning in such a case, while the mumbling to himself was another indication.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.