A SHOCKING STATE OF AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12564, 19 January 1903, Page 10 (Supplement)

A SHOCKING STATE OF AFFAIRS.

DEATH FROM ALCOHOLIC POISONIXG. (From Our Own Cohrkstoxdkni.) , OHBISTOHUEOH, January 13. A remarkablo inquest lias occupied the. attention of tho magistrate at West Oxford during tho last two days. It was held touching the death of Mrs Elizabeth Curran, wife of the licensee of tho Commercial Hotel. The evidence of T. Curran, licensee of tho hotel best indicates tho nature of Hie case. Currnu, who was (lie first witness, deposed that the deceased (his wife) was fond of drink for 17 year.', and was in the habit of drinking to excess occasionally. In the last five, weeks tho had beer, drinking incessantly, and used to take it upstairs with her. Witness had had to call in Dr Volckman, who said that if she took any more drink it would be fatal. Witness got some castor oil for her, and gave- it in coffee. When he went to the storeroom for tho oil deceased was sober, and when he returned she was stupidly drunk. He did not wish to allow her liquor, und instructed everyone about to keep her from the bar. Deceased was weak on Saturday, and got Uμ at 4 p.m. and entered the liar, but witness turned her out, and she went into the kitchen stupidly drunk. Hβ left her there after trying to get lief upstairs. He left her on the floor, as she asked to have a spell. Two hours after he returned to the kitchen ami found her still lying on the floor on her side. At 8.45 p.m. he tried to get her to bed, and left her. At 9.45 the servant went in and found her dead. Witness was playing billiards at the time, but was summoned at once. On Saturday he had missed liquor from the bar. Witness did not drink to excess, W. Curran, 14 years of age, said hie mother had been drinking heavily since December 23. Witness had to attend to tho bar, and was sometimes in chargo all day. He tried to stop his mother from coining in, but she used to help herself. On Saturday evening lie saw her drink a largo tumblerful of whisky, and did not see her again till she was dead. Nellie Curran, 13 years of age, said her had been drinking heavily for two 'wedks and got drunk, and did not do much housework. On Saturday deceased was in bed part of the day. She came downstairs about 6 p.m., and seemed alright. About 7 o'clock she was very drunk, and sitting in the kitchen. Witness saw her father lay her down on the floor after he found that she was too heavy to tako upstairs. She was on the baro floor without any pillow or anything. Wilness left the kitchen at 8 p.m., and decefiwl was lying on the floor then, behind the door, and she saw no more of her. Witness had been kept in chargo of the bar for a day at a time when her father would bo away in town. Dr K. Volekmaii said he was called on January 5, and found dereased on the verge of delirium tremens. Ordered her to be sent a sleeping draught, and told her husband lo keep (i watch on her and <;ive her nourishing food. Deceased died from failure of the heart from alcoholic poisoning. Leaving deceased in a state of helpless drunkenness without attention was alone liable to cause death. Tho verdict was that deceased died from alcoholic poisoning, and tho jury added a rider that the husband of the deceased showed great negligence in leaving his wife lying on the floor in the state of health she was in (hopelessly drunk), and not using sufficient precautions to prevent her obtaining drink. The Coroner, addressing Mr Curran, referred in scathing terms to the inhumanity of a man plaviug billiards while hie wife was dyinjr. and reminded him that it woijld snem an impossible- thing for the Licensing Cnmniiltoe- to continue hie license. Notice would also have to he taVen of the i?irl under 13 rears being allowed to attend to the bur. He quite endorsed the verdict of the jury.