CORONER'S INQUEST ON MICHAEL COSTELLO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6823, 29 September 1883, Page 6

CORONER'S INQUEST ON MICHAEL COSTELLO.

As inquisition was taken yesterday before Dr. C- A. Goldabro' (Coroner), at the Pro-, vincial District Hospital, into the circumstances of the death of Michael Costello, who was fouud in an unconscious state near Seccombe's brewery on the 25th instant. The first witness called was Constable Kyan, •who deposed that on Tuesday last he found the deceased in the Kent-road, near the railway bridge, lying in the roid on the broad of his back. He was at that time insensible, Witness raised the man up, but he could not stand. Witness got assistance, and conveyed themanto the Hospital.— John Henry Richard Bond, resident surgeon of the Hospital, deposed that the deceased ■was admitted on the 25th instant. He was suffering from the consequences of drink— delirium tremens. Hβ was unconscious throughout. When he was first admitted his breathing was sterterous, but he became easier atterwards. He did not respond to any external stimulation, such as pinching the arms or feet. Shortly afterwards he iroved his eyebrows and face slightly. The symptoms were not analogous to those of opium poisoning. Ihe man died the second day after admission. Had opium or other narcotic poison been taken by him, he would not have lived so long. Witness was quite certain that death was tfce result of delirium tremens. The pupils of the eyes were of the normal size, neither dilated nor contracted. Everything possible was done lor his relief. By a juror: Deceased smelt strongly of alcohol when admitted, but he never sp->ke or attempted to speak.—A juror said that no evidence had been adduced tc show that the man had been ■drinking or seen>driukit:g.—The Coro.oer said Dr. Bond had sworn that the man smelt of alcohol when admil.ted.—A jaror said it wouldbe wrorjg tofind that drink was the cause of death unless it was clearly proved.—Several jurors said they knew decaased, and had seen him drunk on Monday. —The Coroner said that a.juror was competent to give evidence.— James Byrnes, a juror, said he was a grocer in Kvber Pass-road. Knew the deceased when* he was in the 58th Regiment. Saw him on Monday afternoon, 24th, between threeand four o'clock. He went into witness's place. He seemed half horrified. He was intoxicated then. He asked the loan of two pence, as he wanted to send a telegram to to Ngaruawahia.-T-Thc jury found that deceased came by bis death through exposure, accelerated by drink.