THOMAS HEENEY’S DEATH.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11885, 1 July 1901, Page 4

THOMAS HEENEY’S DEATH.

INQUEST AT HASTINGS. (own correspondent.) An inquest was held at Stortford Lodge Hotel on Saturday afternoon touching the death of Thomas Heaney* who was found dead on the Pakowhai toad on Friday evening. Mr W. H. Smith, J.P., officiated as aoting-ooroner, and a jury was empanelled of which Mr J. C. Kearns was chosen foreman. Dr. j. 0, Tosswill stated that he had examined the body, and found eigne of bleeding from the ears and nose, duo to fracture of the spinal column. This could be caused through falling from a horse. There were no other external wounds on the body. ' James Thomson (Mahora) deposed that at about 830 pm. on Friday, when coming along the Pakowai-road, near the Mahora creamery, he met a riderless horse with saddle and bridle. After passing the creamery he saw a man, apparently dead, lying on the roadway in a pool of blood. He then came to Hastings and informed the police. In reply to questions asked by the jury witness stated that it was about fivo minutes after seeing the horse that ho came upon the body lying on the roadway. The horse, when it passed him, was trotting. The body was lying face downwards, on the metal part of the roadway. D. Tobin (Mahora) deposed to having been in company with deceased and brother in Hastings and at i-tortford Lodge. The two broth ra were walking together alosg the Pakowhai road, leading the horse, when he left for home..

John Heonoy (brother of deceased) stated that he was in company with his brother on Friday night. They both had had several drinks and could walk all right, and his brother was able to mount hie horse without assistance. After leaving the Stortford Lodge Hotel they walked along the Pakowhai road, his brother leading the horse. When opposite Mr Breen’s gats witness walked across the paddock and went home, and his brother mounted tho horse and cantered away. , Cross-examined, ho said the horse was a quiet one, and left at a canter. Ihe first ho know of the accident was when Sydney Howe came to his house and informed him of it. As J. Ellingham, licensee Stortford Lodge Hotel, stated that deceased and brother came to the hotel on Friday evening at between 7 and 7.30 o’clock. He refused to serve thorn with liquor, and when they insisted upon getting some, he gave deceased a small limejuico and soda. They only stayod at the hotel a few minutes, when they loft, both appearing to be on friendly terms with each other. The jury, after about 10 minutes’ consideration, returned the following verdict : " That the deceased, Thomas Heaney, mot with his death by misadventure, caused by falling from a horse and thereby breaking his neck,”