ARCHIBALD RUSHA'S DEATH.

Southland Times, Issue 14633, 25 January 1911, Page 3

ARCHIBALD RUSHA'S DEATH.

PRELIMINARY ENQUIRY. For the purpose of taking the evidence of the forecabin steward of the s.s. Warrimoo, an inquest was opened by Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M.. at the Invercargill Police Station last evening on the body of a man named Archibald llusha, who had been a passenger by the boat and had died on Monday after the vessel’s arrival at Bluff, Edward Thornton, steerage steward on the s.s. "Warrimoo, deposed that the deceased was a steerage passenger by the boat from Melbourne, and was booked to Bluff with a return ticket to Melbourne. The Warrimoo left Melbourne on Wednesday last, the deceased being the occupant of a twelve-berth cabin, which, however, contained only throe other passengers. There were only 56 steerage passengers in all, or about half the ship s full complement. The deceased, except for slight" sea-sicaness, appeared all right as far as Hobart, and went ashore there. After leaving Hobart lie kept to his bunk and collapsed from sea sickness. He could not take any solid food and a doctor (a saloon passenger on tlxe boat) saw him and advised that eggs beaten up in port wine and brandy should be given him, which was done, but Rusha was unable to take even this food. He naturally became very weak. On the morning the boat arrived at Bluff he walked up on deck, but lie had to retire again to his bunk. At Bluff he was seen by Dr Torrance (the Health Officer) who ordered his removal lo the Hospital. He was brought ashore on a stretcher and put into tile 12.30 train from Bluff, but he died on the journey up. Deceased appeared to witness as of a reserved disposition and did not communicate anything of his personal history to him. At this stage the enquiry was adjourned. So far as is known Rusha had no relatives in New Zealand. He was a man apparently of about 30 years of age and probably was a gold L miner by occupation. Letters found in His pockets indicate that lie had relatives in Gwalia, Western Australia, and that he himself lived at Perth, W.A. He apparently, had come direct from Perth to Bluff via Melbourne. Although only S/6 was discovered in his possession, a bank book shows that he drew out from the Government Savings Bank at Perth on the 6th inst. the extent of his banking account, some £32 odd, from which he had paid about £l6 for his shipping tickets.