INQUEST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 4465, 5 June 1875, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest on tho body of the late Mr Napier Gordon Glassford, whose melancholy death was , recorded in_yesterday’s issue, was held at the Clarendon Hotel at 4 p.m. yesterday, before Dr Coward, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr Bobert Wilkin was foreman. _ The jury having viewed the body, evidence was called. Alex. Adams said that about oclock on the previous evening he was driving a dray along Oxford Terrace. When he got between the Besident Magistrate’s Court and the Government footbridge he heard a vehicle coming behind him at a sharp pace. When he got opposite the footbridge a buggy drawn by two horses passed at a rapid rate. He saw something like the form of a man fall out of the buggy. The horses continued running, and his horse became restive and went after them for a distance of two or three chains. He turned back and called out. He could hot leave his dray, as his horse was very restive, and he was afraid he would bolt. A number of persons came, and he saw a man lifted from the road.

By a Juror: The buggy did not come in contact with my dny. George Clarke, residing in Oxford terrace, near the scene of the accident, deposed that he was sitting at the Are about seven o’clock on the previous evening, when he heard a vehicle pats his house at a rapid pace. Went out, and taw last witness sitting in his dray at the side of the road near the Government footbridge. Last witness told him that a man had been thrown out of a buggy. Went to the spot indicated, and found deceased lying on his back. He was insensible, and did not moan. He sent to the Provincial Council for Dr Turnbull, thinking that he would be there. Dr Turnbull had something on at the time and could not ooine, bnt asked that Dr Symea might be sent for. Dr Symea arrived in a few minutes afterwards. Deceased was taken to the Clarendon Hotel. He might mention that last witness said he oould not leave the dray, as his horse was restive, and he was afraid he would bolt.

. Reginald Foster deposed that on the previous day, about 8 a.m., the deceased, Dr Nedwill, and hiipself, had left town in a buggy and pair hired from Millett’a stables. They had gone out for the day rabbit ahooting. He (witness) drove during the day. On coming down the Fapanui road near the Carlton Hotel, witness turned round and said to deceased — “ Glasford, where shall I drive to ?” Witness intended to dine with Dr Nedwill. Deceased replied that it would be most convenient for them to drive to Dr Nedwill’s j that ho oould; take the hones to Millstt’s stables; get a man there to • drive him home and take book the buggy and. horses. Deceased assisted in taking out the guns, &c., at Dr Ned will’s residence, and, taking charge of the hones, drove away quiet and orderly. Knew nothing more until he heard of the accident. Dr Symea deposed that he was called to go

sni.aee deoeaeed at about a quarter past seven o’mpk. He found deceased lying on the ground opposite the Government footbridge. • He was quite/ iniemible. There was ooeasional remiration. Felt deceased's head, and found this (bull fractured. Blood was issuing from both ean and the nose. Deceased was re* moved to the Clarendon Hotel, at his (witness’s) instructions. On the way to the hotel, deceased breathed a few times, and died a few minutes after being brought into the bouse. Witness made a post mortem examination of the body. Found a fracture of the skull, extending from the middle of the left fore side of the head, to the posterior part of the right side of the head. On removing the skull cap, he found that the fracture had extended to the coverings of the brain, and to the brain itself.

This was all the evidence adduced, and tha jury returned a verdict of “ Accidental death.”