FALL OVER STAIRCASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21515, 12 June 1933, Page 10

FALL OVER STAIRCASE

MAN'S FATAL INJURIES COMMENT BY CORONER [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Sunday "The whole thine was disgraceful and it is evident that it was the result of what was more or less a drinking bout," said the coroner, Mr. E. Gilberfcson, at an inquest into the death of Leo Stephen Curtis, whose body was found at the back of the Empire Theatre building, Petone, early last Monday morning. The coroner returned a verdict that death was due to injuries received through falling over a stairgase. •James Swaysland said it was customary for a party of men to go to the theatre building on Sunday evenings for a drink. About 10 p.m. witness found deceased lying on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and told him he had better go home. Witness put a seat under him thinking he would go home when sober. Alexander Balneavis said that all the party were more or less drunk, but there were no arguments or lights. He had left deceased lying on the floor thinking he was drunk, but not injured. After hearing medical evidence the coroner said he gathered that deceased tripped over a staircase and fell to the concrete floor below.

In reply to the coroner's question whether the building was the usual place for orgies Detective McLennan stated tha± it had been rented to a local sporting body, but he had arranged for strict control of tho keys and no further trouble would result.