DEATH FROM EXHAUSTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13652, 23 July 1906, Page 4 (Supplement)

DEATH FROM EXHAUSTION.

INQUEST AT HIGHCLIFF.

Mr C. C. Graham (coroner) and a jury hold an inquest at, HigholifT on Wednesday July 11, on the body of Bridget M'Credie, widow, aged 71, who was found dead in her residence at HighclitF on the 9th inst. William Henderson, gardener, residing at HighclitF. deposed that he knew deceased, Bridpct M'Credie, whose body ho identified. She was a widow, and had lived by herself in a cottage at Highclift". She lived a. secluded life, having very little intercourse with her neighbours. Witness had not seen her going about for the last 10 days or so. On the 9th inst. hoard that no reply was made to a knock on her door, and ho thereupon telephoned to Constablo Brennan at Anderson's Bay. Witness then went into town. His informant was Thomas Burgess. Thomas Burgess, farmer, residing at HighclilT, deposed that ho knew deceased for a number of years. She had lived by herself a very secluded life. She had property of her own. Saw her lust on the morning of the 6th of July, at which time she was standing at her door when witness passed along the road. On Monday, the 9th inst, hearing that no one answered to a knock at deceased's door, witness went over there himself. That was about 9 a.m. He knocked, and got no answer, and thereupon informed the last witness, who telephoned to the constable. On tho constable's arrival witness assisted him to force the door. On entering they found deceased lying on her back on the floor of the kitchen, quite, dead, cold, and stiff. No sign of disturbance or struggle having taken place was visible. Witness helped to lift the body on to the sofa, and then left, tho constable going into town to make his report. While in trie house tho constablo searched the premises, and found £4 12s 9d in oash and a bank note. George Inglis. farmer, residing at Highcliff, deposed that he had known tho deceased for a number of years. He last saw her alive about 5 p.m. on the 4th of July at her own house. He called there to deliver to her a supnly of groceries ho was in the habit of bringing out to her every week from town. She was in her ordinary condition of health, and only complained of being verv cold. Witness saw nothintr unusual about her.

Dr Gordon Macdonald said he had known tho deceased for a number of years. Inspected the body on the 9th of July; found it lyimr fully dressed on a sofa in the kitchen of deceased's own house. Rigor mortis was absent, and deceased had been dead some days. There was a slight bruise on her chin, as if she had falkn. and bruises of a similar character on both knees. They seemed to indicate that she had fallen and had strucelcd to get up again. There were no other external marks, nor anything to indicate the probable cause of death. He thereupon made a post-mortem examination of the body, which was very emaciated, aa Enough deceased had lacked nourishment. There was no disease of tho internal oreans to account for death. The stomach and bowels were absolutely empty. In the left cavity of the heert and in the aorta in the noiehbourhood there were largo masses of fibrir.e indicating that the deceased had died ''ora general exhaustion ord .»*. irvation. , John. M*lacb> BrennsTi, polioe con-

stable, stationed at, Anderson's Bay, deposed that ou the 4th of July he visited the house of deceased, accompanied by Mr Bishop, and had an interview with her with the view of having her sent to a home or hospital; but she positively refused to go to either place. Witness made a report to headauarters to that effect, and was informed bv the principal local medical officer (Dr Ogslon) that he would hold the local body (tho Peninsula Roard Board) responsible for her wellbeing. Witness gave notice to that effect to the clerk and ohairman of the board accordingly. Deceased's neighbours would willingly have aided her. but she constantly refused to accept their services. The-jury found that deceased died from exhaustion and starvation, for which she alono was responsible, there being no other reason for the same.