CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13938, 21 December 1908, Page 7

CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER.

A FIREMAN'S DEATH. .' FATAL STREET FALL. [by telegraph.—press association.] Wellington, Sunday. At the adjourned inquest on the body of John Ferguson, a ship's fireman, who died on Monday from a fractured skull, cudenco was given that deceased, who was the worse for liquor, entered a passage leading to a house at a lato hour the previous ni-.ht. Frederick Moss, residing at. 84, Vivianstreet, said he opened his front door on Saturday night to let out Mr. Collins and a lady friend, who had been spending 'lie evening with him. The approach to his house is clown a passage, and he saw deceased sitting on the doorstep in ~ ...icdup position. Witness remonstrated with him, and some words ensued between them, Ferguson starting swearing and wanting to fight. Witness turned round to send the lady upstairs again, and as he did so lie heard the man strike the roadway. The police were summoned, and from the crowd thatcollected a man pushed himself forward, and pointing to Collins, said: "That man struck him " Collins denied this. After hearing the evidence, the jury found that deceased came to his death by fracturing his skull through falling violently on the roadway by reason of a blow received while in a state of intoxication. Collins was then charged with manslaughter, and admitted to bail on his own recognisance of £25, and one surety of £25. Ho will appear at the Court to-morrow morning.