DEATH OF MR. CHAS. LAMB.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13096, 3 May 1911, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. CHAS. LAMB.

OPENING OF THE INQUEST.

TIIO inquest on the body of the lato Mr. Charles Lamb, which was found. lying on the beach at Tahuna on Monday afternoon, was opened yesterday, morning at the Court Jiouso by tiio Coroner (Mr. J. S. Evans). Sergeant Mullany, who -represented the polic-?, deposed that deceased was reported missing about three o'clock on Monday afternoon, and a search in the vicinity of Tahuna, where he wa3 last seen, resulted in tho body being found on the beach. He identified deceased.

Dr. Gibbs stated that he had mado an external as well as a post mortem examination of the body. Tlie external examination showed: an abrasion on the right wrist, a largo bruise on tho point of the right shoulder, and two scalp wounds. All these were evidently ante-mortem. These wounds in themselves were not sufficient to causo death. There worei other skin injuries piesent, but these wore evidently post mortem. The post mortem examination showed no fracture of the skull, but between the skull cap and the brain thpre was- a clot of blood anterior to the injuries on the- scalp. This injury in itself shou'd not have been sufficient to cause death. Tho lungs and heart presented the usual evidences of death by drowning. Ho was of opinion that the injury to deceased's brain would render him moro or less irresnonsible for his actions. He would probably be able to answer questions, but would not know where he was walking, whether inland or towards the sea. It was quite possible that tho hemorrhage increased as deceased was walking, sufficiently perhaps, to render him unconscious. The organs of the body were- healthy for a man of his age and occupation. Death was due to drowning, preceded by a severe injury to tlie brain which rendered deceased unconscious of his actions.

In reply to the Coroner the witness said the injuries were consistent with those which would bo caused by a fall from a bicycle, although in the present case, deceased being a heavy man, ho thought they would have been moro severe.

The inquest was then adjourned until ten o'clock this morning.

Tho circumstances connected with the death of Mr Lamb as reported in yesterday's issue were, substantially correct. After dinner on Sunday Mr, Lamb expressed his intention of going into the country for a cycle ride, ami no anxiety was felt by his relatives when he failed to return in tho evening, as it was known that he had business to do in Wakefiex! and they concluded that ho had cycled there and stayed over night. When he did not return the next morning and news of his accident on the Rfleks road was received, he was reported missing to the police, and a search of tho beach at Tahuna resulted in his body being found near to where he was last seen. After being thrown over the Rocks road wall, deceased, who was bleeding from the wounds in his seal]), was able to help to get his bicycle on to tho road again.

At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Druids, held on Monday evening, a resolution was passed expressing tho deep sorrow of the members at the death of Rro. Chnrlns Lamb, who had been a member of the Order for very many years. Bro. Lamb had taken an active part in Druidie matters whilst a member of the Pacific Lodge in Wellington, and of late years during his residence in Nelson, he had associated himself with all matters of importance concerning the Order.

A resolution was also passed expressing the utmost sympathy of the members with the family in their sad ami sudden bereavement.