DEATH OF A STEWARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 October 1926, Page 5

DEATH OF A STEWARD

ALLEGATIONS OP NEGLECT lONIC’S DOCTOR. GIVES EVIDENCE (United Prem Asioolatlon.i WELLINGTON, This Day. The inquest regarding the death of a steward named Denniston, of pneumonia, on hoard the Tonic, two days out from Colon, was continued before Mr Riddell to day. When the inquiry opened on September 271 h, allegations were made that deceased had been neglected by the ship’s doctor. The Rev. Mr Harold, of Canterbury, gave evidence to-day as to seeing deceased the day before Ids death and on one or two other occasions before. Deceased made no complaints. He told witness he had a very fine doctor, who was doing everything lie could for him. To Mr O’Donovan,- witness said he never, visited Denniston when in tho glory hole. '' Dr Brennan said he first saw Denniston on August 25th in his own bunk. Denniston said lie thought lie had an attack of malaria coming on. Witness gave him some pellets niM ordered him to stay in bed. He did not think it necessary to send Idm to the hospital When he visited him the next day the man seemed a. little belter. Thp following day he found Denniston had been taken on deck by two stewards. He had given them no authority to place th e patient there. When he saw the patient lie had him removed to the hospital, where he remained until he died. Witness visited him in tho hospital every day. Tie discovered Denniston had pneumonia on August 28th or 29th ,and made a minimum of two visits a day, giving modern treatment for the complaint. Witness conferred with Dr Wells, both visiting the patient on September stli. Witness was of •the opinion thnl Iho action of (he other stewards in taking deceased on deck on two occasions was very harmful. On one occasion witness found an. empty jug. _ Tn Hip. hospital'Denniston told him if had contained ipo water, which Barnsley had brought him. An unlimited quantity of this was harmful. There were Seven' port-holes in the glorv-hole. and these could he opened except in very bad weather.,. ,