INQUEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3379, 6 February 1879, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday in the Ashburton Hotel, on the body of Oliver Goldsmith Colville Armstrong, found dead on Tuesday, in the above hotel, before Dr Trevor and a jury, of whom Mr Ben. Williamson was chosen foreman. After viewing the body the following evidence was submitted to the jury : Duncan M'Kenzie, landlord of the As'hburton Hotel, said the deceased came to his house early in the forenoon of Monday, the 3rd inst. He bought a flask of brandy. Saw him in the afternoon again about four o'clock. He was not under the influence of drink. He had been about the house on other occasions, but never exhibited any peculiarity of conduct or appearance. He had a glass of beer on Monday morniug. He did not ask for a bed on Monday evening, and the next time witness saw him on the following morning was lying on the bed in No. 11 room, quite dead, and completely dressed. Nothing about the body or the room had been touched when the police came, and the phials produced were lying — the chloral phial under the bed, and the chlorodyne phial on the looking glass on a chair by the bed. The unopened bottle of citrate of magnesia was also on the looking glass, and the unopened fla?k of brandy" was in his pocket. His attention was called to the deceased by Mary Riley, the housemaid. Deceased showed no appearance of depreseion of spirits. He did not engage a room, and went straight, up to No. 11 room without tbo knowledge of anyone in the house. Things were very quiet, and the rooms were not inspected at night. Had no knowledge that deceafed was in the house at all.

Charles Neate, chemist and druggist, sworn, deposed : Deceased came to his shop on Monday last afc half-past 9 o'clock a.m., and usked for some hydrate of chloral, which he refused, bt'caueo it was a poison sold under the " Sale of Poisons Act." Told him that he could have Hunter's solution of chloral, which is sold as a patent medicine. Deceased said he had been drinking, and was about to return to camp, and wanted something to take with him to make htm sleep at night. He was perfectly sober, and told him (witness) that he understood the nature of chloral, and was in the habit of taking it. Full instructions were given to deceased as to how he was to take tho Hunter's solution. By Coroner : Patent medicines do not come under the " Sale of Poisons Act."

C. J. Truckle deposed that deceased told him he would see the banker re a cheque. Witness understood that deceased was separated from his wifo on account of his drinking habits, and that his wife was expected from Sydney shortly. Did not believe the deceased meant to destroy himself. Mrs Mutch, landlady of the Ashburton Hotel, deposed that site saw the deceased between 7 and Bon the evening of Monday. He asked for a clean glass. He got the glass at the foot of tho stairs, and went up to bed. He seemed quite sensible, and talked rationally. Never saw him again a'ive. Dr M'Bean Stewart deposed that he was a duly-qualified medical practitioner. He knew the deceased, and had a' tended him about hree weeks ago. He then complained of a

severe irritation of the skin, -whisk prevented him from sleeping. Witness prescribed chloral and opium on different occasions for him, _ both by prescription and from the chemist. The deceased was an educated man, and seemed to be acquainted with the properties of cliloral. Made a post mortem examSJation to-day. There was a considerable lividfgy about the face, chest, and bowels. Therewere no marks of violence of any kind on the body. On opening the thorax and abdomen there waa a strong smell of chloral. The right lung was gorged with blood ; the left was healthy, but was also slightly gorged. There was blood in the cavities of the heart, partly dotted and partly fluid, otherwise the heart was strong and healthy. The liver was of normal size, but brittle and inclined to be fatty, and the spleen was smaller than is generally found. There was some partlydigested food in the stomach, which smelt very strongly of chloral. The kidneys were con-jested. Witness did not open the skull. The Coroner thought this should be done, and Dr Stewart made the examination and continued.

Had examined the brain, which was healthy, but the blood-vessek on the sin-face were partially gorged with blood. He would attribute death to an overdose of chloral and chlorodyne. After taking such a dose as the deceased had taken, death would result in about an hour. No person knowing the properties of those drugs would take two ounce bottles of them at one time, unless he meant to commit suicide.

The jury returned a verdict of " Death from an overdose of chloral taken aecidentallv."