ELTHAM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12179, 31 January 1903, Page 6

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) An inquiry into the circumstauces .it tending the death of Rupert Llewellyn Hendersrn, aged five years and four months, wae held at the Branch Hotel on Monday before Mr W. H.McGhmy, J.P., acting-coroner, and the following jur\ :—: — Messrs D. K. Jones, A. W. Wilson" W. Llopd, J. Hawke, J. N. Blackhall. »nd W. Vnn Stunner. Mr Lloyds was ch< sen foreuiau. Dr Harrison deposed that at 6.30 a.m. on Sunday he saw the child, whp wub apparently asleep, the breathing and pu'se beiDg normal,, the colour being p -le and lips rather blue. The father »!«id the boy had naturally a pale colour. Ihe father sent for him because he thought 1 the boy was suffering from tetanvs, as he bad a small wound on the toe, and they thought ois mouth wo aid not open, lie found no symptoms of tetanus," and could open his mouth quite easi'y. '1 he father ,then remirktd that he had been rcsth-ss in the nigbt. anddhat ptrhapß it was due to a large quantity of bananas he had ' eaten the day before. An hour later i witness was sent for again. The buy i was in the same conditi' h, but the pupils ! [ were fixed, and did not want the light. ! He could not rouse him , bis breathing' became irregular, and iv ten minutes hoi was dead, in spite of artificial respiraiifon, I and other means Witness made a ymst mortem examination with Dr, Valinnne, 1 and found sll the organs of ihe Vo/jy.j were perfectly healthy. The stomach • ! and contents were, removed and sei i to Wellington for analysis. ' Constable Simpson :, On whose auth-r j ity did you hold a poet mortem ? | Witness : On my own. It is a uiudl j thing.' ' ' • | Constable Simpson : I have nev«.ri heard of such a thing in my experience. ' Witness : Your experience ie, perhi p's, .limited. s i Constable Simpson : It is larger tLan yours ; and you did not give a certificate! Witness: No.' We held the just mortem to ascertain the canse of death. Constable Simpson : A boy nun ed Olsen died seven or eight years ago, Mid you then made a post mortem and gave a certificate. • Witness : Yes. s Constable Simpson : Is it not duty to send for the police to care of the body. Witue>s : No. Constable Simpson : You sent Ihe contents of the stomach to Wellin ff t n withouc acquainting the police. \ Witness : Those to whom th© cont< i«ts were sent are better qualified to juiigo; the cause of death than a policeman. j Constable bimpson : Why did you send for Dr Yalintine while Dr VVkkej washtre? * I Witnesa 1 : Because Dr. Valintine is] Bealth Officer. ,' „ 1 Constable Simpson : You had^no bvisl. ness to interfere without an order from the coroner. Witnes : I did what-- I considered right, and you can report me to whoever y©u like. ' , / ' Constable Simpson : I wUI report tl»'e whole matter to the authorities ' ' ! Witness : Quite right. • I Constable bimpson : Why did you not' report to the police ? * Witness : 1 did not think ifrupces'sary' It is a common practice in England to' hold post mortem examinations withoiil m order from^he Coroner. After Ijotst mortem I asked Mr Taylor to r«- 1 report the matter to the police. 1 did uot consider it my duty to informihe police of the death as I thought the p< $t uortem wo aid disclose the cause of -leath Constable Simpson : How will you get a repc irfc' of the aualj sis . , > Witness : From the analyst. Constable Simpson : To whom. Witness : To me. , Constable Simpson :' Whtn will I get it?Witness : When yon ask mo for it.i '• , To the foreman : Corsidered death was due to som« violent poison. • ' : The patents of the deceased boy also gave evidence. '• , • - The coroner said that the only thing that could be done was'io adjourn the inquest until 1 after the analyst's' report tiad been received. He signed a warrant . or burial. The funeral of Rupert took place on ! 'uesday, when a large number followed ihe remans to the Eltham cemeti-r;.. The coffin was ce v ered with wreaths the Rev. J. U-. Chappie read the bunwl -ervice.