DEATH OF A PRISONER UNDER PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1239, 7 April 1880, Page 2

DEATH OF A PRISONER UNDER PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Invercargilli, April 6. An inquest was held at the gaol this afternoon, touching the death of a prisoner named John Wilson, undergoing four years' sentence for forgery, who died suddenly on Monday. The evidence of th<j gaoler showed that the prisoner was frequently sick, but the doctor, who sounded him, said She was malingering and was quite fit for work. Deceased was taken

off work in consequence of His oomplaint< Allan Young, a prisoner in gaol, deposed that he had frequently heard deceased complain of being ill, and had heard hint say he had spoken to the gaoler, who told hiiii not to keep bothering. He afterwards heard him groaning in his cell. On Saturday week last deceased said to witness that he was dying inch by inch, and his death would be laid at the Governor's door. . Witness did not consider that deceased received sufficient nourishment. The evidence of Middleton, another prisoner, went to show that deceased told the warder he was unfit for work, and had been told he would be locked up if he did not work. .On returning from work recently, deceased was almost dead, and was sent to his cellj witness thought for punishment. Deceased was put on short allowance because the officials thought he was shamming. The inquiry lasted all the afternoon, and was adjourned till Monday next, when the evidence of the doctor andi others will be taken.