WOMAN’S DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 December 1937, Page 12

WOMAN’S DEATH

INQUEST AT GREYMOUTH. An inquest was held by the Coroner (Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.), at Greymouth, to-day, concerning the death of Mrs Lilias Caldwell Griffin, 58, which occurred near her residence at Blaketown, last Wednesday morning. The proceedings were conducted by Sergeant F. R. Ebbett. Dr. H. S. Ray said that, at 7 a.m., he was called to Blake Street, and found Mrs Griffin lying on the side of the footpath in the entrance to a coalshed. She had been dead for about an hour. The body was clothed in slippers, nightdress and coat. Later in the day, by direction of the Coroner, witness performed a post-mortem examination. There were no external marks of violence. Examination of the heart showed marke'd disease of the aorta and coronary arteries. There was a complete blockage of the anterior coronary artery about the middle of its course. There were no important abnormalities about the other organs, and. death was due to sclerosis of the coronary Arteries. Frederick John Fauth, coal-miner, Blake Street, said that he was getting ready to go to work, when Martin McEnaney drew his attention to a person , lying on the edge of the footpath in the doorway of a garage. They investigated, and found that it was Mrs Griffin, who was dead. Witness informed her son, Janies Griffin, with whom 'she lived. Dr. Ray was then sent for. Witness had known Mrs Griffin for 20 years, and had seen her practically every day? So far as he knew, she always enjoyed good health. When found, deceased was wearing an overcoat over her nightdress, and was lying on her back, with her head just touching the right-hand door of the garage. Both doors were open, and the garage contained a quantity of coal.' The garage is owned by Jack Cain, coal-dealer. Witness understood that deceased had recently ordered coal from him, but he had forgotten to deliver it. It looked as though deceased had gone over to the garage for the purpose of obtaining some coal for the morning lire. /’ At this stage, the proceedings were adjourned until to-morrow morning, when one more witness will be called.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

INQUEST AT WAIUTA

That the death, of George Beynon Carey, which occurred on November 29, was accidental, was the verdict returned by the Coroner (Mr W. B. Auld), at Waiuta, on Friday, after hearing the evidence at the resumed inquest. The proceedings were conducted by Sergeant M. Hodgins, of Reefton.

Leslie John Morrison, employed, at the Blackwater Mine, said that on Sunday, November 28, lie' and deceased visited Blackwater, remaining ithere for the night, and; returning to Waiuta on the following day. They left the Waiuta Hotel together about 1.30 p.m. They iwient as far as> the .billiards saloon, where deceased went up the steps, and witness went to his 1 hut. In witness’s opinion, deceased' was quite capable of looking after him Self. He saw deceased' in the latter’s hut, about 2.30 p.m. Carey was lying on his bunk, and witness concludedl that lie was asleep. Witness was not aware that Carey had an injury to his- head. Dr. K. Broken'shire, of Waiuta, said that, at 7.40 p.m., he was called 1 to the hut, and found d'ece'asfed’s 1 body lying on the bunk. Death had occurred about, an hour previously. There was an external contused wound on the head, a small abrasion on the back of the right hand, andl another on the front of the right hand. A post-mor-, tern examination- s'li'oiwed that the cavity of the skull was filled with blood, which, was diue to a rupture of the middle meningeal artery. There was a marked compression! of the brain, and the skull wasi abnormally thin. The injury could have) been caused by falling four or five feet down a bank.

Arthur Frederick Cochrane, baker’s apprentice, said that on November 29, about 1.45 p.m., he saw Carey fall head first down a bank, a distance of four or five feet. Witness informed his employer, L. Harvey, and they picked! Carey up and 1 drove him to his hut in their van. There was a small cut at the back of his right ear. Carey was, conscious, and said that he was all right.

Frederick John Pine, labourer, said that he shared' the hut with deceased. He returned to the hut about 5 p.m., on November 29, and found Carey in his bunk, apparently asleep. Witness prepared tea, and, about 6.15 p.m., endeavoured to awake deceased. He returned to the hut about 7 p.m. and saw Carey alive about 7.30 p.m. Witness Went outside to talk to some men, and, on re-entering the hut, saw that Carey was dead. George Edward. Talbot, hotelkeeper, Waiuta, said that, when Carey left the hotel, he was quite capable of looking after himsielf. He had four drinks, and left with Morrison. There was no disturbance in the hotel, and Carey was quiet. Constable J. Wilson, of Waiuta, said that the bank down which deceased fell would be about 4ft 6in deep. Witness found, a small bloodstain in the water channel below the bank. There was no evidence of any disturbance in the hut. The Coroner returned a verdict that death was due to injuries, accidentally received.