CORONER'S INQUEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 3, 18 November 1863, Page 3

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Ay inquest, was held yesterdny afternoon at tlic Odd Fellows' Arms, Chancery-street, or the body of Charles Kimmyth, before Dr. Pliilson, Coroner, and 11 ,i lu '. v impannelled for the purpose. The jury having adjourned to the residence of the deceased to sec the body, returned, when Robert Stuart-, the first witness called, deposed: I am a shoemaker, living in Chapel-street. I was ac- | quainted witli Ihe deceased; had known Kim for more i than twenty-one years. His occupation was that of a shoemaker. He resided in Field's Lane. He was about thirty-eight years of age. This morning a dark woman working with him called upon me between eight and nine o'clock, saving that Charlie was very ill from the eM'eets of drink. I went to his house and found him lying in his bod cm his linok, and in a dreadtul state. " ilave yon come at last ?" he said as I entered, and wished me to get. him a glass of brandy or rum. I got two glasses of rum for him. 1 mixed a little of the rum wit h water, and just as I was about to give it to him he said, " Oh, Robert, I 111 dying !" and expired before he could taste the drink. He was perfectly sensible to the last. He was in the habit of drinking at times. I think his death is attributable to neglecting to take food, and to ox*oossiv«* (Irinkhin*. Surah Rant deposed: My husband's name is-Tolin Rant. 1 lire in deceased's house in Field's Lftne. I was in the house at the time he died. Mr. Stuart came in before he died. Deceased has been drinking tor the Inst eight days, ever since he came in from Otahnhn, where he has been serving in the militia. lfc"never came home till he was drunk. He was not very drunk last night. He came home about 7 o'clock ami laid down in his bod. 111 the morning I saw nothing wrong with him. He wanted more 3*lllll, and I gave him halfa glassful, lie said he wanted to sec .Stuart, and I sent his wife for him. He died a little after 0 o'clock. Dr. G-oldsboro attended after his death. Charles Field Goldsboro, being sworn deposed: I am a member of the College of Physicians of Kdinburgh, and of the College of Surgeons in England, and also surgeon of the Auckland Militia. On arriving at the Hospital this morning, about ten o'clock, t was called to see the deceased. lat (ended immediately, and found that he had been dead sotue time. 1 believe he died from want, of taking necessary food, together with excessive drinking. The pupils were dilated when 1 saw him. There were no marks ot violence on him. T. believe the cause of death was drlh-ium tremrnx, brought on by excessive drinking. Sergeant ,T. Foster was called to give evidence as to the deceased character and habits. lie said I have been acquainted with deceased for 21 years. Within the last few years he has been in the habit of drinking to excess. Last Sundav was.the last time I saw him alive, and he looked in a very deplorable slate, lie sometimes abstained from drink for live or six months at a time. Wh.'ti he did drink, it was generally at home, ar.d not often in public houses. The jury having heard the evidence, were unanimously of opinion that the deceased came to his death by excessive drinking, and the neglect of proper food, and not from the effect of any injury received by him.