SUDDEN DEATH.— CORONER'S INQUEST AT FREEMAN'S BAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5491, 23 June 1879, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH.— CORONER'S INQUEST AT FREEMAN'S BAY.

An inquest was held on Saturday afternoon it the Freeman's Bay Hotel, before Dr. Philaon and a common jury, of whom Mr. 3eorge Warburton wa3 chosen foreman, on the body of Joseph Davis, who died on the way up from Coromandel. After viewing the body, the following evidence was taken : —John Brame deposed that he had known ileceas?d for seven years. Ha was a miner by occupation, residing at Coromandel. He was 47 years of age. He was a married man, and his widow is at present at Coromandel. He last saw him alive about a year ago. Hβ was a healthy nun. He heard of his death on Thursday last. He was of sober and steady habits.—John Keith deposed that he knew deceaeed for more than three years. He laefc saw him alive on Thursday last on board the s.a. Rowena. He had been on board some time before he took any notice of deceased. They were sitting together in the steerage. He appeared to ba in his usual state of health. As the steamer waa approaching the Heads, deceased complained of sea sickness. He did not observe deceased vomiting. He was perfectly sober. He then went and Uy down on one of the seats for about an hour. He got up and sat against the witnese. After sitting there about an hour, he rose to on on deck, a-.id as he was going up by the ladder, he fell forward. Witness caught him, and leaned him back on his arm, and loosened hia collar. He then called the captain as deceased appeared to be dying. Deceased did not speak. He moaned, and his lips turned black, and his eyes sunk. With the assistance of another passenger, deceaeed was taken on deck. After a few gasps, he ceased to breathe. He died about 5 o'clock. The vessel was theD near the Bean KocU lioht-houee. When the steamer arrived in ~nd, information was given to the pali=e, and Sergeant Martin took charge of the body—George McLeod deposed, that he was a miner by occupation. He reEided at Coromandel, and knew the deceased for about three years. Ho last saw him alive on board the Itnwena, ofi Brown's Inland, on her pasisage from Coromandel to Auckland. Deceased appeared to bo in good health. Witness went into the cabin, and deceased went into the steerage. The next that he heard of him was, that he was dying. He saw the deceased brought on deck. He was then breathing, but his pulse was weak. Hie features were calm. There was no froth at his mouth. He did not speak. He vomited on the passage np, before he was taken ill. He was of very temperate habits, and was well respected.—Sergeant Martin deposed, that through information received, he proceeded on board the Rowena, and saw the body of deceased lying on the deck. It was full clothed, and still warm. He had it removed to the dead-house. He found a purse, containing £1 12s 6d, and some letters, in his pockets.—Dr. Hooper deposed, that he had made a post mortem examination of the body, and the cauae of death was heart disease. The Jury returned a verdict according to the medieal evidence.

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