SUDDEN DEATH OF A NAVVY AT HELENSVILLE. — CORONER'S INQUEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4288, 11 August 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

SUDDEN DEATH OF A NAVVY AT HELENSVILLE. — CORONER'S INQUEST.

The coroner, Andrew Bonar, Esq., accomJanied by an intelligent jury, of whom Mr. ames O'Brien 'was chosen foreman, held an inquest on Monday last, at the Court-house Helensville, on the body of John Cooper, who had been working on the Kaipara railway for the past ten months and who was found dead in his bed, at his residence, on Sunday morning last. Deceased was working as usual np to Saturday evening ; had for Bome days been suffering from irritation in the bo wels, and partook very slightly of tea about six o'clock. Some time afterwards he requested his mate to make him some gruel, to which was added a very small glass of brandy ; this he partook of, and went to bed about seven. His mate remained with him two hours, when Cooper requested him to go to his room adjoining, as he wished to sleep. On Sunday morning, the mate of the deceased rose about seven o'clock, and on entering deceased's room was alarmed at the flushed appearance of his face, and on placing his hand on the arm of deceased, discovered that he was dead. At the inquest, several witnesses deposed to the circumstances of the case, and the jury returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes." Deceased was born in England and was apparently about forty-five years of age ; he had been a soldier in the 60th Rifles. Some years ago he had been a fortunate digger at Ballarat, where he amassed a considerable fortune. Ever since deceased has been known in this district he has borne the character of a remarkably steady, inoffensive workman, and was very generally respected both by employers and mates. —[Correspondent.] !