ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13697, 12 September 1908, Page 6

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

INQUEST IX TIMARL'. An inquest touching the death of William Liekis, who expired suddenly in Mr Caesar Kelly's shop on Thursday, was held at the Courthouse yesterday'. morning' before the coroner, ilr- C. A. YVray and ih"e following jury:—J. McNab" iforeman), A. L. Applegarth, H. Henderson, W. Baiter, G. Wa\fis jun.. and G. Straehan. W. Bishop, a step-son of decayed; residing in Bank • Street, said that. Liekis had lived with him for some time off and' on, w;as over 70 years of age, and was a sailmaker by occupation. He was usually in very good health, but witness had not =*en him for a week, when he lefii home without giving any. reason, and went- to fit ay at the Queen's Hotel, for which witness could not account. , Deceased' told him on the day,he left home, when he met him in the Arcade, that he was going away. Liekis was a steady sober man, ba.d not. been ailing, had no blood relation in New Zealand and had no means of his own. Caesar Kelly, tailor, George Street, deposed that at 12.35 on Thursday, when he was in hVi shop, he saw deceased pass the. door. Deceased s'aggered as -though he was intoxicated, vhen caught hold of the window irame, let go, turned round and fell backwards on to the footpath. WTth the help of another man he raised Lickis's head and asked him if felt better, to which lie. replied yes. To a Juestiota if he could stand up deceased id not reply, but. trknl to lift himself. He was -assisted on to his feexi and" held tip,-then helped into the shop. He leaned over the counter and presently col lapsed. A cab came and an attempt .was made to; lift him in, but as he was too far gone the deceased was brought back ipto the shop and laid on the floor and given a drink of water. Dr. Bowe then arrived, but Liekis expired and was taken away to the morgue. Deceased t'old witness that he had had no dr.nk, but did no f . explain what was the matter with him. Dr. Bowe, who was summoned to examine wiinefis before he- expired, said that the deceased was dead when he arrived. A post-mortem examination had revealed slight disease of-'the heart and extensive disease' of one of the kidneys. He. thought that death was due to the kidnevs ■ be : ng incapable of properly performing their duty and causing h»art failure. The, jury re'urned a verdict in accord ance with the medical evidence . *