SAD FATALITY AT STANLEV BROOK.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11966, 20 June 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

SAD FATALITY AT STANLEY BROOK.

THEJNQUEST, ?££ A Coroner'sTinquesfc^washeld at the house"'of *Mr J.^Thorn, Stanley B rook on "June 13th, before Mr T. Griflitli, J. P., and a jury consisting of Mr [. Eatwell (foreman), T, J. J. Parker, W. Fonemor, W. Biggs, J F. Kelling and R. Polglaze, touching the sudden death of Charl°s F. Mansoll. Mr J. Thorn, in giving evidence, .i.ii rl that deceased iiad worked for him for three years past, and that ho wag subject to fits. On Tuesday n'liiht deceased did not como in as usual, and search was made and continued on Wednesday morning, when tbe boiy was found in a shed on the top of some oat sheaves. Life had been extinct for some time. Deceased had evidontly had a seizure, and had fallen with his head in the hole made by pulling out the sheaves and been suffocated. Mr R. Thorn corroborated the evidence of his father, and said they were in the habit of being with deceased when he was at his work, but the fits came on him at such long intervals that it did not always seem necessary to be with him. Mr Mansell, father of deceased, gave evidence that deceased had been subject to fits for tho past eight years, and had left the Telegraph Bervice on that account, thinking an out-door life might benefit him. He was quite satisfied every care and kindness had been shown his son. The jury returned a verdict that deceased died from suffocation whilst in a fit. The eveni has thrown quite a gloom over this little valley. Cnarlie Mansell was popular among the young people, and well liked among the elders. His sudden death has caused much sorrow among those who knew him. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents, who were at the time of his death on their way from Wellington to visit him.— Own correspondent.