DEATH OF NATHAN BARNETT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 40

DEATH OF NATHAN BARNETT.

At Monday's meeting of the Trustees of the Benevolent Institution the request of the Rev. A. T. Chodowski that the trustees should cause an inquiry to be made into the circumstances surrounding the death of Nathan Barnett was further considered. The letter covering the request has been already published. Mr Talboys (chairman) said the trustees would notice that the Rev. Mr Chodowski requested the trustees to ask for an inquiry, and said that failing their doing so he would ask for an inquiry himself. It seemed to him (Mr Talboys) that it would be a queer thing for the trustees to ask for an inquiry, seeing that they had already held an inquiry and were perfectly satisfied. Mr Loudon submitted a motion to the effect that the trustees had made an inquiry, and were satisfied that neither the institution nor the manager was to blame. Mr Tapper pointed out that the motion was practically similar to one previously passed by the trustees. . The Chairman (Mr Talboys) asked if it would not bn advisable to appoint a subcommittee to draw up a report and give it to the public. Mr Gallaway said the Rev. Mr Chodowski 'deserved every credit for the action he had taken in regard to Nathan Barnett's death. In this particular case, however, Mr Chodowski had been mistaken. But they must not in any way underrate Mr Chodowski's sympathy with the -matter. Nathan Barnett was a most respectable and good man. and all the trustees were exceedingly sorry about his death. Mr Chodowski evidently believed that there was something degrading about Nathan Barnett dying in a prison cell. It was true that the room in which he died was sometimes used as a cell, but on that occasion it was used as a bedroom. Mr Gallaway concluded by referring to a resolution he had moved, which had been criticised by the Rev. Mr Chodowski, and said that when he moved it he desired to be fair, and it was not designed to .smooth anybody's conscience. The Chairman said that he had drawn up a report embodying all the facts, and he would submit it to the trustees, who might perhaps consider it wise to hand it to the press. The one error made so far was in taking the report of the watchhouse keeper in committee. They should nave let that go to the public. Perhaps, when all the facts were out, everybody would be satisfied. Mr Talboys then read the following statement . — " Complaint ««' made by the Rev. '"Lodowski on Decemhej 9 that proper care was not taken of the late Nathan Barr>«t<\ and that sufficient efforts were not ,»„ - find hini after leaving the Benevolent Instnuw. "tui that when found it was the fault of Air ±.±>e. manager of the institution, in not having him returned to the home, the police having acquainted him of the fact. In the presence of the Rev. Chodowski, at a meeting of the trustees, Mr Mcc made the following statement: — " That on its being made known to him that Nathan Barnett had left the institution, he had instructed four of the most Capable of the inmates to go in search and jbring him back. He immediately rang up the police and gave a description and instructions when found to return him to the institution. Mr Mcc again rang up the police about 10 p.m., but they had not found him. After conferring with the polloe, it was decided that when Barnett mis found he should be taken oare of and returned to the institution next morning. Nathan Barnett was found at 11 p.m. The Rev. Chodowiki, not being satisfied, it was decided to ask the police to attend fee next meeting of the trustees, to be fceld on Monday. " I may here state that the manager has tko power to stop inmates leaving the institution, as they are free agents, and know 1 ihat, should they go out without leave, they I Ire brought before the visiting trustees. itn the oa«e or Nathan Barnett, the mankger, knowing he was not fit to be at large fewing to his delicate state (though not an inmate of the hospital .ward), took steps at «nde to find him. "At tn* rating of the truetees on MotiBay the poljoe in ohargd of I>he lock-up tnade a statement fully endowing what Mr Mcc had ttatod, tuoJa that;, according to •arrangement, Nathan Bametf, on being sound; had been made comfortable in a feel! oT MOBS adjoining tho office.

"That on two occasions he visited him, and later on the deceased had walked out into the office, thus showing that. in no sense was he a prisoner or treated as such. He (the policeman) had taken him back, tucked him up in bed, and made him comfortable. Visiting him later on, he found the man dead. The evidence of the police being fully in accord with that given by Mr Mcc, the trustees held Mr Mcc B;-^ naan artTappointment was made for the Chairman to meet him. and the matter fully explained. It may here be stated that i Nathan Barrett was suffering from valvular , affection of the heart, and the inquest went to show that his end was in no way hastened by any treatment at the hands of the police." It was resolved to hand the statement to the press.