DISCLOSURES AT INQUEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21977, 12 June 1933, Page 8

DISCLOSURES AT INQUEST

DISGRACEFUL DRINKING BOUT COMMENT BY CORONER. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 11. “The whole-thing was disgraceful and it is evident that it was the result of what was more or less a drinking bout,” observed the coroner, Mr E. Gilbertson, at the inquest concerning the death of Leo Stephen Curtis, whose body was found in the rear of the Empire Theatre building in Petone early, oh Monday ■morning. The coroner returned a verdict that death was due to injuries received in falling over a staircase. James Swaysland said .it was customary for a party of men, to go to the theatre building on Sunday evenings “ for a beer.” On the night in question witness about 10 p.m. found the deceased lying on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and told him ho had better go home. Witness put a seat under him, thinking he would go home when he was sober.

Alexander Balneaves said that all the members of the party were more or less drunk, but there were no arguments or fights. He had left the deceased lying on the floor thinking that he was drunk, but not injured.

After hearing the .medical evidence the coroner said he gathered that the deceased had tripped over the staircase and had fallen to the concrete floor below.

In reply to the coroner’s question whether the building was the usual place for orgies Detective M'Lennan stated that it was rented .to a local sporting body, but he had arranged for strict control of the keys and no further trouble would result.