INQUEST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3569, 26 June 1872, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest touching the death of George Healthy, who died suddenly on Saturday last, was held at the White Crane Hotel, Woodcut), yesterday, before Dr Dudley (coroner), and a jury of whom Mr Mark Thompkins was chosen foreman.

The following evidence was elicited by Sergeant Pratt; —■ Thomas Ball: I am the proprietor of the White Crane Hotel, at Woodend. I knew the deceased; I have known him almost eleven years. He was about 53 years old, ami was working as a labourer with Mr G. Palmer at Woodend for some time. He used to make my house his home at times. He came to my house on Wednesday evening last and stayed till the day of his death. He appeared in good health during that time. He eat his meals regularly and heartily. When he was here before, some few months ago, he sometimes was without his meals for a day together, butthistimehc appeared betterthanl haveever known him. He used to drink spirits, but lately he only drank beer, as he thought spirits excited him. He went to the ploughing match near here on Friday last, and be came home before dark the worse for liquor, so much so that I refused to give him any more. He then went and sat down by the taproom fire, and after some time I gave him half a pint of beer. I do not think he had any more to drink. He had some sandwiches, and went to bed about nine o’clock. He appeared quite well at that time. When he got up at about eight o’clock on Saturday morning he appeared well, but he said he did not want any breakfast. He had half a pint of beer, and several more half pints before dinner at about one o'clock. He eat dinner and said he enjoyed it; he then said ho would go home. Me sat in the taproom for some time, and said he thought he should be all right for work the nest day. He remained in the taproom till nearly six o’clock, and when I went in to the room about that time I saw John Bailey holding him in his arms, and in the act of laying him down on the form. Bailey said, “ 1 believe he is dying.” His lips were white, and he neither moved nor spoke. There was no quarrelling going on in the taproom. I immediately sent for the police, and rendered what assistance I could, but the man was quite dead. He died on Saturday last.

John Bailey: lam a labourer, livimg at Wood end. 1 knew the deceased. I was with him at the ploughing match on Friday last, and ho thou appeared as well as usual. I returned to the White Crane Hotel with him about four o'clock in the afternoon, and as ho was the worse for drink I left him and went home. I saw him again on the following day at the White Crane Hotel in the morning, and he appeared to bo in his usual health. I saw him again at four o’clock in the afternoon, and he asked mo to wait for him and he would go home with me. Shortly before six: o’clock, I went into the taproom and 1 saw the deceased with his head on the table. I raised him up, and noticed some water coming from his mouth. Ho never stirred or spoke. I laid him down on the form, and found that ho was quite dead. I remained with the deceased till medical assistance came.

W. A. Burrows : I am a duly qualified medical practitioner, residing at Rangiora. By order of the coroner, I have this day made a post-mortem examination of the deceased. There were no external marks of violence about the body. There was every appearance of good health. On examining the chest, I found extensive disease of the valves of the heart. The heart was also considerably enlarged, and the left ventricle was much diseased. There were also old adhesions of pleura from former inflammation of the lungs. The lungs wore congested, but otherwise healthy. The cause of death was from disease of the heart, and in my opinion death was instantaneous. I have heard the evidence, and the symptoms arc consistent with disease of the heart.

This concluded the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of “ Died by the visitation of God.”