Inquest.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7356, 2 November 1898, Page 1

Inquest.

An inquest touching the death of Charles Kennedy was held yesterday before Major Keddell, District Coroner, and a jury of six, of whom Mr J;mes Emslie wus chosen foreman.

The Coroner, in opening the enquiry, said that deceased no doubt met with his death through accident;, and that ao far oa the authorities knew there was no blame attachable to anyone. He also said that the deceased waß of very temperate habits, extraordinarily so for one following the calling deceased did, so that there could bo no suggestion of intemperance. James Hopley, Waiareka, deposed that ho brought deceased on Monday to the Hospital from the racecourae, About five minutes past nine o'clock decea3ed was riding Vanilla, a marc he was training for the Christchurch races He passed witness about 170 yards from the bottom of tho straight, going at about a hand gallop, alone. When ho got to the bottom of tho straight he started to move the mare along. About halfway up there were three or four iJiecp on the ploughed track. Witness heard deceased call out to them, and all appeared to get clear except one, which the maro seemed to catch on its hindquarters. The mare then appeared to him to stumble, but deceased hung to her, holding her up as far as witness could judge for 6 or 7 yards, when she came down, turning a completo somersault. Deceased got clear of tho mare and witness went up as soon as he could and found deceased lying face downwards in tho ploughed ground. Witness saw this from aboutl7oyardsoff. Deceased was unconscious when witness picked him up. Witness lifted the deceased to a sitting posture and called out to a man named Jamos Chalmers, who was working with him, to come and assist. Witness left Chalmers with deceased while he got his horse to get assistance. Deceased spoke to witness as ho passed him, and appeared to be in his usual health. Witness telephoned from Eveiine works for Dr M'Adam, who came onb at once.

James Chalmers deposed that with Hopley he was fencing the racecourse track, and •with him saw deceased fall and heard Hopley call to him. When he arrived ho found deceased cut about the face and mouth. Hopley left witness with deceased while he went for assistance, and during his absence Tripp, the jockey, came up and witness got him to go to tveline to telephone. Doceased regained consciousness about half ap hour afterwards, and witness asked him if he knew him, and he said he did, and that he was Jas. Chalmers. Witnesß asked him to move his legs, but he could not. Both legs and arms appeared to be paralysed. Witness did not think deceased knew, that the sheep were on the course, a 8 when he started they were on the hill aud afterwards they came on to the track. Dr Thomas Butns deposod that deceased was brought to the Hospital about 11 a.m. on Monday, and from the time of the accident up to about 1 p.m. he waH treated by Dr M'Adam. At that time witness oamo to the Hospital and found deceased in a seml-unconsolous condition, evidently the result of a concussion of the brain and spine. There were several contusions on the faoo, the nose was bruised and swollen, and there were abrasions on tbe forehead. The tongue was split in two places from eaoh jaw .to the extent of about an [inch, which necessitated a little minor operation which Dr M'Adam and witness performed under chloroform. The lower extremities were paralysed. Attention was given to the nursing, and ho was treated properly. Witness bmv him again in the evening, whon he was still in the samo condition. Deceased never properly recovered consciousness, and died from ooflapse at about 16 minutes to 9 that morning, the result of tho injuries sustained.

The jury, without retiring brought in a verdiot of accidental death.