Inquest at Lyttelton.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5189, 20 December 1884, Page 4

Inquest at Lyttelton.

An inquest upon the death of the late Dr John Thomas Eouse was held at Lyttelton yesterday, in the Crown Hotel, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner, and a jury of which Mr John G. Fyfe was chosen foreman. Henry Barratt said that on last Friday week, at about 4 p.m., witness was coming down Salt's gully, and saw deceased attempting to. mount his horse. The horse moved on just as he put hi 3 foot into the stirrup, and deceased lost his balance as he got into the saddle and fell off on the off-side, on to the back of his head. Witness ran to him and raised him . He was insensible, and blood was running from his nose. Witness called to a woman, who came out of one of the adjacent cottages, to bring some water ; with this they sprinkled his face. Mr Sowden and aether then came up. Dr Macdonald was sent for. Deceased only partly recovered consciousness. Deceased mounted with his face towards the horse's head, and held the reins too long. This witness thought was the cause of the accident. Nothing startled the horse as far as witness could see. Hugh Macdonald, M.D., said that he was summoned to attend on Dr Eouse at about 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon. He was supported by Mr Sowden. He was partly conscious, recognising witness, and being able to answer yes and no. He was bleeding, and had a slight wound at the back of his head. Witness had him taken home and his wound dressed. He was then semiconscious. Dr Guthrie, with witness, attended on deceased, who remained in about the same state for the next two days. On Tuesday morning he was quite conscious, but could give no account of how the accident happened. On Tuesday night, after the very hot day, he .vas much worse, becoming delirious, anci continued so up till yesterday morning. He died from concussion, with injury to the base of the brain. This concluded the evidence, the verdict being that of "Accidental death."