INQUEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 23 July 1891, Page 15

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Mosgiel Hotel on Tuesday morning, before Mr Coroner Carew, on the body of Donald John James Sinclair, late licensee of the hotel, who died suddenly on the previous day. ' Eliza Sinclair, wife of the deceased, said her husband was born in Greenock, and had been 26 years in New Zealand. He was formerly a master mariner, and for the past three years a hotelkeeper. For the past 15 months he did nofc seem to have been in very good health, and abou/6 a year ago he had medical advice. On Saturday night he went to bed at a-quarter past 10, and remained in bed on Sunday, which was an uncommon thing for him to do. On Monday morning he complained that he did not feel very well, and at about half-past 11 he told witness that he had a dreadful pain at the heart. In about a minute he said the pain was going round to his back, and asked for a drink | of water, which witness gave him. After he drank it he seemed quite easy, but as witness thought he looked ill she seat for Dr Allan. Before the doctor arrived, however, her husband was dead. He had previously lost a brother from heart disease and enlargement of f>hj liver, and two others died from apoplexy. Deceased had no relatives in New Zealand. He was 47 years of age. James O'Donnell, manager for Mrs O'Kane's hotel, and Dr Allan also gave evidence. The latter stated that when he was called on Monday be was just on his way to a patient to whom he had been previously called. Witness went to that patient and then to Mr Sinclair, but Mrs Sinclair met him and told him he was too late. Witness attended deceased about a year ago, and found he was suffering from congestion of the liver. Deceased did not complain of his heart, and witness did not examine it. Witness examined the body, and saw nothing to lead him to suspect that death was caused by any other than some natural cause. Witness thought it was some heart trouble deceased died from. The Jury returned a verdict of M Death from natural causes."