CORONER'S INQQEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1331, 21 February 1868, Page 3

CORONER'S INQQEST.

A. Cobosee'S inquest was held at four o'clock, yesterday, at the .Mount Kdon Stockade, on view of the body of Charles Clayton, who died in the Debtors' Prison lit 3 45 a.m., yesterday, while confined at tho suit of Robert Brookes. Dr. Gollsbro, M.D., officiated as Coroner, and a respectable jury was sworn, of whom Mr. SI. Foley was chosen foreman. The jury having viewed tho body, Thomas Young, acting gaoler, deposed, that the deceasfd was received into tho Debtors' Prison on tho 20ih January, as a debtor, on » warrant from the Supreme Court, granted at the suit of a Mr. Brooks. Deceased first complained of illness about the early part of last week. On thd morning of Monday, the 17th, he became much worse, and witness sent for tbe Provincial Surgeon, who bad seen him daily during the greater part of the previous week. Dr. Philson attended immediately on being sent for, but since then, to nil appearance, the doceasod had been gradually sinking. He expired at 3.-15 a.m. this (Thursday) morning. Doceused was about thirty years of "age. Never hesrd him OJmplaining of improper treatment. Isaac Kiohnrd:on Vialou, a prisoner in the Debtors' Prison, deposed thut ho had lived in the same room with deceased. About fifteen days ago deceased appeared by his disturbed dreams to be troubled with nightmare. He used to cry out in the night, "Oh ciou't, don't!" Witness recommended him to see h doctor on Tuesday week. He was visited by Dr. Philson, but he was able to walk about until Friday las' when he saw tho dootor again, and was removed into a sep-irute room. Sinco then deceased had been g«tting worse. Believed deceased was much depressed in spirits through his confinement, and became much worse when he heard that tho application to the Judge had been refused. Believed deceased calculated upon getting out. Deceased made no complaints about anyone connected with the prison. Mr. Young did all that ho could for him. He had every thing that the gaol regulations allowed in tho shape of food and medicine. Witness was with deceased when he died. Tho detaining creditor came to see deceased on Tuesday last, but would not sanction bis discharge, thoui;h he saw deceased and knew him at the timo to be si'riou ly ill. I beliovo deceased's wife asked tho detaining creditor to release him in order that he might receive proper treatment in hospital. Frederick Ueorge (Jlayton, brother of deceased, requested that Lucas Uurtin might bo examined, which was assented to.

Lucas Martin, n warder in charge of the Debtors' Prison under Mr. Yo •■ng, deposed : Deceased was under my charjo from tho day he entered the prison. He appeared dull and heavy some days ago and complained of illness and depression of spirits. On Monday list deceased became seriously ill, and complained of his detaining creditor's cruelty in keeping him in gaol when he knew he was dying. I went to Doctor Philson, who said deceased had no business to bo kept in prison as he was suffering from dangerous fever, and at once wrote a certificate to that effect, asking the Judge to grant iho removal of the prisoner to his home if he had power to do so. The deceased was not discharged uyon tho certificate. Mr. Heaketh and Mr. Dunn went to the Judge, who said lie could not legally libe'ate the deceased. Deceased, when he heard that his discharge waß refused, sank rapidly, and complained of cruelty and injustice. I was present when the detaining creditor saw the deceased on Tuesday. I saw deceased and tho detaining creditor in conversation. I think deceased wsts asking him to come to a settlement. The detaining creditor told me on that day, outsidi the gaol, that he would not interfere. I did not hear deceased's wife ask the detaining creditor to liberate her husband. The detaining creditor's name is Robert Brookes. 1 saw the latter this morning, when he refused to accde to the discharge of the body. He said he had his instructions from hie legal adviser, and would not interfere in the matter. Tho body could not be delivered ap without an order. I am not aware that the body can be demanded by his rela'ives.

Thomas Moore PhiUon deposed that he was consulted by deceased on the 14th February, for symptoms which he recognisfid as those of typhoid or intestinal fever. Administered euitablo medicine, but deceaeed coild not be persuadi-d to keep in bed, until Sunday, the 15th inst., when on visiting him I found him considerably worse. In the course of that nis;ht or Monday morning, he wus seized with a sudden violent paia in the abdamen, fallowed by rapid swelling of the holly, difficult breathing, exceedingly frequent pulse, and great prostration, I felt certain that perforation of the intestines had taken place, and that death was inevitable, and I warned hia wife and friends accordingly. Death took place on Thursday, the 20th, and on muting a post mortem examination, I found the abdomen filled with fl.ui-1 feccal matter, and the intestines in a high state of inflammation. On searching I found a email round aperture, as if made by a punch just b?low the largest intestine. Ihe cause of death was typhoid fever with perforating ulcer. (By a juror). I did write a certificate, stating that deceased was Buffering from typhoid fever, which was very dangerous, that deceased was rery anxious to be removed to his own home, and recommending his immediate removal. As things have turned out, perhape, it is as well that deceased was not removed. He said himself on Tuesday that he did not think he could bear removal. There is no Hospital in the Debtors' Prison. The confinement had nothing to do with the cause of death. The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased died from typhoid fever. The jury ale - ) added the following rider to thoir verdict—Notwithstanding the fact that the refusal of the deceasod's discharge may not have accelerated his death, we consider the conduct of tho detaining creditor, in refusing to accede to th - ) discharge, when he beoame aware that the deceased was dangerously ill, was cruel and unChristianlike.