INQUEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10043, 8 May 1894, Page 3

INQUEST.

Ar. inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of James Murphy, whose body was .found on Sunday near high water mark at Anderson's Bay, was held at the Bay View Hotel yesterday before Mr Coroner Carew and aa jurymen, of whom Christopher Marlow-was chosen foreman.

George Elson, who resided in Walker street, identified the body shown to the jury as that of •James Murphy, an Irishman, who had lived in une of witness's cottages for about 12 months. Witness thought he was a single man, but he did not know whether he had any relatives in the country or not. Deeeaeed was a labourer. He paid his rent on the 20th of April, and witness had not Been hire, about since. On tho 27th alt. witness heard that deceased was missing. He had never made any cot-plaints to witness, but witness heard that he had been to -see Dr Martin. When deceased left the house there were plenty of provisions in it. He had not been working for 12 months and seemed to be living on his means. Witness believed him to be aa honest' man. He never noticed any change in him lately. , To Sergeant Brown: On the Saturday week mfter the deceased was missed witness went to his cottage and foand a latter addressed to the inspector of police, which he gave to the police. Deceased may havo been in the house on the 24th of April although he was missed en the 23rd._ Witness never noticed- any signs of insanity in deceased, but about six months ago Detective Henderson told him that the man nas mad.

The letter referred to by witness in his evidence appeared to have been dated on the 21th nit., and the writer charged four persons with being responsible for his death; and expressed » hope that God might have mercy on their souls.

•John Rentoul, assistant to Mr A. M. Loasby, chemist, in, Princes street south, deposed that he remembered n man named James Murphy .coming twico to tho shop on Sunday, the 22nd of April. The first time he asked for ls worth of laudanum, Witness told him he could not supply him unless be had witnesses. He then went away and came back again in tho evening -with two men, and asked witness if he could give him the laudanum then. Witness replied that he could. He also asked Murphy what he wanted the laudanum for, and was informed by him'that he wanted it to make him sleep. Witness supplied him with loz of laudanum, and told bim not to take more than 15 drops. Murphy and one of tho witnesses signed the poison book. Witness did not notice anything peculiar about Murphy. He seemed, perfectly rational and sober.

Hannah Elson, daughter of George Elson, deposed that she collected rents for her father, who had a tenant named James Mttrphy. The last time Murphy paid rant was three weeks ago last Friday. Witness did not notice anything unusual iv his manner when he paid the rent. She saw him again on tho following Monday morning, and beseemed all right then. John Galbraith, a , labourer, residing in Walker street, deposed that ho had known the deceased for the last 16 months. Witness came to him about eight or ten weeks ago, and lie saw the deceased two or three times a week. He went witb deceased to tho chemist's for some laudanum. While they were in the shop deceased asked witness for 6d as he had forgotten his purse. Deceased seemed quite aensible. Witness saw hira again on the following day and thought he looked better. That was the laßt time be saw him alive.

_ To Sergeant Brown: Witness did not know that deceased was hard up. To the Foreman .* He had Dot known deceased to drink during the last few weeks. Thomas Neweil, brickmaker, who lived at Anderson's Bay, stated that on Sunday, at about 1 p.m., be was looking out of his back gate, across Anderson's Bay, when .he Baw an object , lying iibout 20 yardß from high water mark. He went to see what the object was, and found it to bo the dead body ot a man. He informed Constable Hartnett about the matter, and the constable : had the bady removed to the Bay View Hotel. . Dr Martin deposed that tbe deceased was a patient of his eight or ten,months ago. He came to see witness frequently abont that time. Witness laßt saw him about th. 23rd of August. He was a hypochondriac; he fancied he had a great many complaints, bot they were imaginary. This was often the first indication of insanity. Witness had seen the document produced, which was said to be written by the deceased. If deceased did write it witness should think he was of unsound mind at tho time hei wrote it. There were no marks on the deceased's body except some Blight abrasions on the face, which might have been occasioned in the water after death. The body must have been in the water overaweek. Witness could not say whether the body was alive or dead when it went into the water. ' * ■,

_ The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased was found dead in the mud at Anderson'B Bay, and that there was no evidence to show what was the cause of death.