INQUEST.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 32, Issue 9280, 9 August 1901, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest 011 the body of man named Benjamin B'arrow (better known as " Shaker •billy") was held at Wedderburn on.Tuesday. Mr N. P. Hjorring acted as coroner : the jury was composed of Messrs Fielding (foreman), Colin Thom, John White, Louis Day, Thomas Jopson ; Constable Johnston conducted the inquiry. John M'Kay said he recognised deceased as Benjamin Farrow. He had been in his (witness's) employ off and on for about 18 years. He was a married man but had not been living with his wife since working for him. After taking a small quantity of liquor he was troubled with some nervous affection. He last saw him alive on Saturday about 4 p.m. He had lately suffered from a cold. Witness had found him lying on the road about 500 yds from his place, at about 9.30 a.m. Beside the body was an empty bottle which had contained rum and an uncorked bottle of beer. He had the body removed to his own liousi. Deceased was a native of the colony, and about 59 years of age. Dr Church had examined the body. There was no external mark of violence. Death was probably due to exposure. John Rush, labourer, Wedderburn, had met deceased on Saturday at the Wedderburn schoolhouse betweeen 8 and 9 o.m. He was perfectly sober, and was going in the direction of Mr M'Kay's house. There appeared to be nothing wrong with him then. It was very cold and windy at the time. • "

A3. O Driscoll gave similar evidence. James O'Connell, hotelkeeper, Wedderburn, deposed i Tie last saw deceased alive on Saturday about 8 p.m. He was then standing in the bar of the hotel. He bought a bottle of rum, sayiug he had a cold and intended to stay in beil the next day He then went in the direction of his home. He was quite sober.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased had aied from exposure.