INQUEST AT LYTTELTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3824, 19 July 1880, Page 3

INQUEST AT LYTTELTON.

An inquest was held afc the Mitre Hotel on Saturday afternoon, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner on tho body of Captain John Scott Paterson, of the barque Hudson, who was drowned in the harbour on Thursday night. Mr Georgo Buist was chosen Foreman of tho Jury. The following was the evidence taken : — Andrew Mackay, master of tho barque Lanarkshire, sworn deposed:— On Thursday night I took deceased aboard my vessel ; he seemed to be right enough then. I put him into my own bed about a quarter pastil. Deceased lay quiet for about a quarter of an hour, and then got up and went on deck. I tried to slop him, but he insisted on going, saying he wanted to go for a certain purposo. I followed him up on to the poop, when he said he wanted to vomit, and went down on to the main deck, and from fchere over tho side on to the wharf. Jusfc as I was going off the poop I noticed deceased going towards the edge of the wharf, and then heard a splash in the water. I jumped on to tho wharf, called to the watchman, and went down to the water's edge to see if I could see anything of him, bufc could sco nothing. The body was recovered aboufc half-past; 12. By the Foreman ; I tried to prevent him going on deck becaure hs seemed strange. Ho had been talking to himsolf in a raving manner while in bed, and I thought he might fall and hurt himself. Tlio reason I took him aboard my ship was becauso I did not think him quite capable of taking care of himself. Robert Bain, a seaman on board the Lanarkshire, gavo evidence corrobating that given by Captain Mackay. Constable M'Lclland stated: About 11.45 p.m. onThursday, Captain Mackay reported to mo that Captain Paterson was di owned between tlio Lanarkshire and tho wharf. I wont down lo tlio wharf, and after searching for abou", three-quarters of un hour, found tlio body between tho wharf and tho vessel. There were i.o murks or bruises on the body at the

time, which was removed to tho morgue, lhe ' night was not very dark, - 3rank Ponget .chief officer of the barquo ' Hudson, stated : I havo known debased' since ApnJ last, when he joined fche ship in London. He seemed worried- in his niiad sincetrlirl 8 ?7u Val l .. here Tr He has had some trouble about the ship. He never acted in-anv manner to lead me to belies that he would destroy himself. When he met any One «opconnectedl with the ship he seemed rfflmY enough, but when on boari-he talked^to himself a great deal. He was a melancholy man. I never knew him to drink to excerton the passage out. I believe iie was quite sober on Thursday. Decease* left the ship), about G p. m . on Thursday, and- seemed 'ail right. Drotn ld*" retUrned a V6rdiofc °f ''Accidentally