CORONERS'S INQUIRY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 25 June 1888, Page 2

CORONERS'S INQUIRY.

An inquiry into the oircum8 l 'moes connected with the death of Joseph Walton, who had died suddenly tho previous day, was held iu the Courthouso on Saturday before Mr J. Allen (Coroner) and a jury consisting of William Thornhill, William O’Brien, John Williams, Edward Lloyd Jones, John Bubeek und George Mills. Mr Williams was chosen foreman. Sergt. Scanlau watched the proceedings on behalf of tho police. Tho Coronor and jury having viewed the body, the evidence of David Mathescn Nairn, duly qualified medical practitioner, residing at Blenheim, was taken. He said he was called in on Friday, 22ud inst., to see Joseph Walton. It was then about 5.30 in the afternoon. The man was in the Grosvenor Hotel, and when witness arrived there he was quite cold, with the exception of his face and tho upper part of his body. There was no pulsation either at the heart or the wrist, and there were no signs of breathing. Witness tried artificial means of restoration, but without avail. When witness went into the room, he fancied he heard the deceased sigh, and that was what made him try the artificial restoration. Ho examined his body, but found no wounds or any signs of violence. He considered deceased was a man of 55 or 56 years of age. There were no appearances abou f , the body that led him to think that he had died from other than natural causes. Witness imagined heart disease would be the cause of death. The Coroner here explained that he would make an order to have a post mortem examination held on the body if the jury thought it necessary. There were no suspicious circumstances about the case, and for his own part ho did not think it necessary to hold a post mortem. The Foreman said the jury were satisfied with the doctor’s evidence, and did not see tho necessity of a post mortem being held. Jacob Walton, deceased’s brother, stated that deceased was about 61 years of age, being younger than witness. He had been living with witness at OnamalubU for six or seven years. He had never been a healthy man from his youth. He had always been ailing, although there was nothing seriously wrong with him. Ho never made any complaint at all, but witness noticed that he was a little sluggish in his manner. He just did as he liked—never did any heavy or hard work, and witness never troubled him to do anything. Witness came into Blenheim with deceased on Friday, to attend a case in the R.M. Court, in which the deceased was a witness. He seemed dull and sleepy after he left the Court, hut nothing else. He did not seem excited, and he was very mild in his temper. From the Court they went to Priddle’s, where they were staying. Witness did not go into Priddle’s, as the trap was ready, and they, with Mr Rickersten, went home straight away. Did not notice anything wrong with deceased for some time, hut when they had travelled about half a mile noticed that he was drowsy and sleepy. Witness noticed there was something wrong with him, and on his asking deceased if there was anything the matter with him, tho latter replied that he had a pain in his chest, but told them to drive on. Ho afterwards fell across the seat, and witness noticed, on lifting him up, that bo was seriously ill. This happened near Mr Langley Adams’ place, and he immediately turned round the trap and went as fast as he could to Blenheim, and put deceased in one of the rooms of Priddle’s hotel. Deceased never spoke a word after ho fell. When witness reached Blenheim he sent for a doctor and informed the police of the occurrence. Deceased had a drink of whisky before he started for home, but that was all. He seemed to be in his usual health, and ate his dinner as usual.

To Sergeant Scanlan : Ho had no property in the Kaituna, or anywhere else in the colony. He was a single man, and lived with me ever since he came out to the colony. Mathias Rickersten, farmer, Onamaluut, deposed: I knew the deceased and his brother. They lived together at Onamalutu, about a mile from my place. I came into Blenheim with them on the ‘22nd inst. I drove them in, and was with them in Court. Went out before the Court was over, and was at Priddle’s when the deceased came in. We had a drink of whisky there. After that we got the horse and trap out, and came down to meet deceased’s brother. As I was driving home I noticed deceased was rather dull. I felt his hands, which were very cold, and I offered him my gloves, but he said “ Never mind, drive on.” When we got near Langley Adams’ place, deceased stumbled forward, and his brother asked him if there was anything wrong with him, but I can’t say that he gave an answer. I then suggested that we should return to town, and we did so. I did not hear deceased speak after he fell off the seat. We came back to Priddle’s. I have known the deceased for about six or seven years, but he never made any complaint to me. I went for the doctor,, and was present when he came. The doctor tried means to restore breathing, but it was of no use. I did not see deceased give any signs of life, but when we were driving back I thought I heard him give a sort of groan. Deceased, as far as I know, had nothing else to d'ink that day. I don’t know whether he wa3 in the habit of taking medicine of any kind. Sergt. Scanlan said that that was all the evidence he had to offer.

Mr Allen, in addressing the jury, said the ease was a very simple one, but at the same time it was a very serious one for the brother. He had no doubt in the world but that the deceased was suffering from heart disease or some disease of that kind. The evidence was very clear on that point. It rested wth the jury whether a post mortem examination should be held on the body After a few minutes retirement, the jnrv returned with a verdict to tho effect that deceased died from natural causes.