DEATH FROM EXCESSIVE DRINKING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6502, 14 December 1882, Page 2

DEATH FROM EXCESSIVE DRINKING.

(Per United Pbkss Association.)

Auckland, December 18th. Yesterday afternoon Robert Hardy, aged 40 years, was brought to the Hospital in a cab by Orchard, a publican, and a woman, who stated that she was Hardy's wife. • Hardy was in a state of unconsciousness, andbis face was much contused. It was at once seen that he wa3 dying. He took two convulsive fits, and expired half an hour after his admission. Orchard and Mrs Hardy stayed only a few minutes. An examination of the body after death showed a cut on the right temple and an abrasion near the cut. There were also a cut under the 'righteye, and a bruise adjacent. The lobe of the left ear was abrased, as well as the side of the templo. The left temple was contused in appear"ance, as if from blows, and the nose'waa also, marked. There was a patch of disfiguration on the back as if from a. blow or bruise. Orchard told the Hospital nurse that the deceased had been fighting, and had stood great "punishment." Mr£ Hardy was in a state of such excitement tfag little could be got out! of her. She was uniEstood to say that Hardy was drunk, and wliff to "strike a man, missed his blow, and fell down. He had been drinking ever since, took to his bed on Saturday, and yesterday began to'take fits. Inquiries' sub- • sequently-made at Orchard's hotel, where the deceased had been staying, elicited, statements that clashed with those given at the Hospital.. Hardy is said to have been in comfortable circumstances, and intended opening a hotel here. ' .. . ,■'.■-. ■- 1 ■ Later. . At the inquest on the body of J6hn Hardy the verdict was that he died from excessive" drinking. The evidence showed that he came here three months ago from Waipukvtrau, Napier, and knocked down £200 since the 19th October. He had been going about for the last fortnight with a woman.named Reilly, the' divorced wifeof a man named Standish, of New .■ Plymouth, and spending £5 a day. He has left .i good sum of money in the Union Bank, Auckland. He was 40 years of. age, and said to be single, but others state that he has a wife in Melbourne, from whom he has been separated 12 years. He has a brother at Waipukufau, and a cousin at Taranaki. .- V'^