INQUEST.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1099, 9 November 1869, Page 2

INQUEST.

Yesteeday, at the Meanee Hotel, an inquest was held before T. Hitchings, Esq., Coroner, and a jury, upon the body of Henry Burston, -when the following evidence was elicited : — John Armstrong Turner deposed:— l am clerk to Mr. Maney ; and was in company with deceased on Saturday evening last up to 9 o'clock. He seemed in his" usual health. He had several glasses, consisting mostly of brandy, during the evening. He was in good spirits, but no* intoxicated. He left at 9, and did not re-" turn. He did not complain of anything. James Smith, beinj* sworn, deposed :— • I am a carpenter, residing at the Meanee. Deceased was a neighbor of mine. About 10 p.m. on Saturday, he came to my house, bringing some liniment for my rheumatics, about which we had spoken during the day. He stayed a few minutes* and then he went away. He seemed in good health. He appeared sober. I saw 1 nothing more of him. Henry Burston, being sworn, deposed : — I am the son of deceased, and follow; my father's trade, that of a blacksmith. I live in the cottage with my parents. I came home on Saturday evening about half-past 10. My father was at home in bed. I heard him talking to my mother. He said, "Is that you, Harry ?' He was in the habit of drinking cold tea every morning, which was always left for him. On Sunday morning, he came as usual into the room where I slept. I was asleep. I was awoke by. my mother calling out. I saw my father lying on the floor. There was a gurgling in his throat. I and my mother carried him into bed. I then went for some one to go for a doctor. I also fetched Mr. Ashton. I returned in about ten minutes. My fatlier appeared much the same, but he died in a "qoatter-of-an-hour, very easily. There was no-poison kept in the house. There was some gout specific in the house, which he took occasionally. He never spoke after I saw him. He complained, on Saturday evening, of his head.. . < ■ James Ashton, being sworn, deposed : — I am a publican. I keep the Provincial Hotel, Meanee. I knew deceased well. He was in the habit of coming to my house at early morning for some pale brandy. He called on Saturday morning for some, brandy. I was called to him on Sunday morning at 5 o'clock. I went to his house at the request of his son, who thought his father was dying. I found , him lying on the bed, speechless. I applied mustard to his throat, and attempted to get some brandy down his throat, but he could not swallow. He lived about twenty minutes after I arrived. The jury returned a verdict of — "Died by the visitation of God."