FATALITY AT PORT CHALMERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 37

FATALITY AT PORT CHALMERS

INQUEST ADJOURNED. Mr H. A. Young, S.M., conducted «a inquest at Port Chalmers on' Monday after-* noon into the circumstances of the deaia of a seaman named Edward Lockyer, wlia fell over an embankment at Carey's Bay . on Saturday night, was picked up in a, semi-conscious condition, and died at tha i Port Chalmers Cottage Hospital on Sun* \ day morning. Much interest centred in tha case owing to the suggestions that the de- I ceased Was engaged in an altercation 02* f Saturday evening, and received the injuries which proved fatal at the hands of -spina other man. Mr B. S. Irwin appeared to watch proceedings on behalf of Mr John Crammond, junior, who, it was alleged, pushed the deceased immediately prior to his injury. Sergeant" Dougan, for the ponce, said fla was instructed to ask that formal evidenea only be taken and tho inquest adjourned* This course was agreed to. Joseph Davis, seaman on an oversew vessel, said the deceased was a seaman on the same ship. He last saw deceased aliva at half-past 2 on the previous Saturday afternoon. Deceased left the ship with In* gun to go out shooting rabbits. Ho waß quite sober, and went in the direotaon o| Mrs Mackie's. Witness next saw deceased in the hospital dead. Deceased was troubled in the head, and his friends took pp notice ■ of him. He told them he had had an accident to his head seven or eight years ago* He was "a bit cranky" when he had liquor, but otherwise he was all right. \ Witness knew nothing of his parentage. He told witness he was born in Japan, of I*'|>li parents, and had a sister in Japap at tho present time. He was a man of a olosa disposition, and would not let others know his business. He was methodical, and kept a diary of everything. He could paint, and was a bit of a photographer. To witness's knowledge deceased had been wita this same ship for the last four years John Flynn, captain of the vessel to which deceased and witness belonged, said he had known deceased for four years. Ha was a good seaman, and of slightly excitable temperament. He had seen hnn under the influence of drink on only ona oocasion. Deceased told witness he was born in Kobe, in Japan. Ho had bad a little trouble over his registration paper* lately. The authorities declared hirn a foreigner, and he did not like li. Witness produced correspondence, iba department and the deceased. One letter uaid that deceased's name had been restored to the reserve, and that he would be colled! ; up for service. Witness gave deceased per* mission to go out with the grin, whioH ha had bought two years previously. Tho inquest was adjourned to S p.m. 01S January 21.