SWANNANOA FATALITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 83, 14 May 1914, Page 8

SWANNANOA FATALITY.

INQUEST OPENED.

An inquest was opened at the hospital yesterday afternoon before Mr H. W. Bishop, District Coroner, to enquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Fraiik Holmes, who died in the hospital at 7.:i0 a.m., as the result of injuries received at Swannanoa on Tuesday afternoon. Sergeant Bird appeared for the police. Dr Francis Scott, medical superintendent of the hospital, said that deceased had been admitted on Tuesday, 12th, at 15.15 p.m. Witness, had been informed that, a dray containing an empty water tank had passed oyer deceased's abdomen. He had been operated on as soon as possible, and it was found that the spleen had been ruptured. Deceased did not rally, and died at 7.:>0 the following morning. .James Arthur Pawson, licensee of the Prince of Wales Hotel, said that, lie had known deceased for about 11 years. Deceased had been in a mental hospital in England and had been sent to New Zealand by his relations for the benefit of his health. Witness had known him first at Huuterville. Deceased had leftwitness's place in Christchurcli to go to a position as cook at Swannanoa. The Coroner: Did he show any signs of any mental aberration while you knew him? Witness: No. Continuing his evidence, witness said deceased had a wife and two children in London. The inquest was then adjourned till Friday, when further witnesses will be called.