INQUEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10307, 14 March 1895, Page 4

INQUEST.

An inquest touching the death of Robert Chestermau, a deck hand of the ft-am tug Awarua, was held in the courthouse, I'ort Chalmers, ypsterday afternoon, before Mr F,. JI. Carew (district coroner) and a jury of six, of whom Mr D. Leo was chosen foreman.

Norman' Macdonald, master of the Awarua deposed that deceased was a casual deck hand of the tug, and shipped at the Bluff on' the Oth inst. The vessel left Port Chalmers on Sunday after-, noon last for the Bluff, and had .steamed about SO miles from the port when tbe met very .bail weather. Witness went on deck about 2.J.0 a.m. of the 11th inst.,, and the weather, became so bad that he was compelled to run under the Nuggets for shelter. While running back witness observed deceased looking ill, and sent one of the seamen (Ivobert Mathieson) to his assistance. The mate shortly after yards reported that he thought deceased was dying. Witness gave orders that he should be taken to the cabin. This was done. Owing to the state of the weather, witness was unable tn leave the deck. About an hour after he was told the mau was dead. Witness knew nothing about thn deceased, and saw him for the first time about three week. back.

Donald Mathieson, Feamau, deposed that he wont on deck at midnight of Sunday last. Deceased had the wheel from 12 to 2 a.m. After leaving the wheel deceased weut forward, and as one of the deck seats wa3 adrift witness went to secure it. After doing so be missed deceased, aud looking round paw (him lying face down on the deck. Wituess with Mr Walker assisted him to rise, and afterwards conveyed him to the cabin. He was unconscious aud breathed very heavily two or three times before he died. He only lived a few minutes after they got him to the cabin.

. Archibald Walker, cngineei-, of the Awarua, gave corroborative evidence. Dr Campbell stated he had examine^ the body of deceased. There were no signs of violence on it. There were alight brui-e. on the right cheek and forehead such as would be caused by a fall, but nothing to indicate that death arose from any but natural causes.

Sergeant Geerin stated that no personal property was found on deceased, who was a native of Wexford. Ireland, and 45 years of age. He held a second mate's certificate.

The jury found that deceased met his death from natural causes.