SUDDEN DEATH AT THE SANDSPIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5495, 27 June 1879, Page 6

SUDDEN DEATH AT THE SANDSPIT.

Ax inquest was held yesterday afternoon, at the Freeman's Hotel, before Dr. Philsoil and a common jury, of whom John Billington was chosen foreman, on the body of John Aahby. After viewing the body the following evidence was taken :— George Ashby deposed that he was a bushman, residing at the Sandspit. He was a son of the deceased. Deceased was a farmer by occupation. His age was 56 years. He lived by himself. Witness and his brother lived in the bush, but came home on Sunday. Deceased had lived by himself for some time. His principal work was to look after the sheep. He was affected with heart disease. He was told so by Dr. Haines about last Christmas. He had been unwell for the past three months. He drauk sometimes when he came to town. He was in town last week, during which time he was drinking. Witness last saw him alive on Sunday evening, about 4 o'clock, when he complained of being unwell. He was suffering from a swelling on the left side of tho neck, which affected his breathing. He took vary little food, and no drink. A man named John JLythain was present when he last saw deceased. Witness went to the bush that night, and did not hear anything of deceased until Wednesday, the 25th, when he went to his house about 3 o'clock in the morning, and found him ying on the floor on his face. Ho was juite dead, the body being stiff and cold. I'here was a gr»at quantity of blood on the loor wher* he was lying. It came from his nouth and nose. There were no wounds on 'ho body. He only had a shirt and flannel >n. There was some blood on his right land. There was nobody in the house, ind no knife or cutting instrument lear him. Witness examined the )ed, and it seemed as if it had been ain on. There were a few drops >f blood on the blanket. The house had no ippearanoa of having been robbed. He then vent into the bush to bring; his brother rames. They both went to tho house toother. They obtained a boat, and conreyed the deceased to Auckland. They irrived it town at 15 minutes to 12 o'clock in Wednesday. They reported the matter o the police, who directed them to-take ;he body to the dead-house, which they lid. He thought deceased died from burstng a blood-vessel during a fit of coughing. William Freeman deposed that he was a mshman by occupation, residing at the Sandspit, with deceased's son. He was in >artnership with them. He had known leceased for the last four yaarn. He ast saw him alive on Sunday evening, bbout half-past 4 o'clock. Deceased was tanding near his own door, taking eavo of his sons and witness. He was lerfectly sober. Witness saw deceased the light previous, and remarked that his face ,nd neck was swollen. He heard of his Leath on Wednesday morning. He went fith the brothers to the house, and Baw leceaßea lying on the floor, on his face. L'here were no marks of violence on the >ody. Dr. Young deposed that he held a post nortem examination on the body. The body ras well nourished, and there were no narks of violence. Tho cause of death was udden rupture of the aorta. The jury returned a verdict of "Found lead, through aneurism of the aorta."