A DEATH CAUSED BY STONE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2623, 22 June 1904, Page 4

A DEATH C A USED BY STONE.

THROWING.

An inquest was held at the St. Hilda Hotel on Saturday afternoon by Mr C. C. Giaham. (coroner) and a jury of six, of whom Mr James Page was chosen foreman, concerning the death, of a boy 11 years of age, named Robert Johnston, Vihose parents reside in Jon-cs street, South Dunedm.

The evidence given was to the effect that deceased was plsying at school on "Wednesday, and that another little boy about five 3 - ears o£ age, who was standing by, threw a stone, which struck deceased in the stomach. Deceased did not complain cf anything at the ■time, and after school went home. He then, complained of a pain in the stomach, and stated that he had been struck by a stone. Dr Jsifacpherson happened to be in the house at the time attending another member of the family, and was asked to look at the boy. He did so, but could find no mark or bruise. The boy said the stomach was slightly psrnfal under pressure, and the doctor, finding the tongue very foul, attributed the pain to an. ordinary attack of colic, and prescribed accoidingly, directing also that hot fomentations should ba used. On the Thursday the boy still continued unwell; but the doctor was not sent for, as at was anticipated that he would pay a visit the following day to see his other patient. During Friday night the boy, who was sleeping with his brother, became very ill, and -was much troubled with retchingand vomiiting. About half-pa3t 2 o'clock in the morning he awoke his brother by calling out for water, and his brother gave him a. drink, after which he seemed to get a little better. His brother awoke again about halfpast 3, and then found the boy was dead. At 7 o'clock Dr Macpherson was telephoned for, and hs went out and examined the body, and his evidence at the inquest wa3 in effect thai he did not attach any particular emphasis to the blow from the stone, but that from the examination after death he believed it to be a case of acute peritonitis. The boy was rot a strong boy, and he thought that "his becng struck with a stone would affect him far more than if he had been in a sound ccns:hcn of health.

The jury reUuiit-d a verdict that the cars© of death was acute peiitomtis, caused by misadventure, the boy having been struck by a stone in the stomacli.

Sir G-. M. O'Roike has been reappointed a member of the Au-'Mand Umveisity College Council, representing the Goverument.