Inquest.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5803, 17 December 1886, Page 3

Inquest.

THIS DAT.

ADJOTJBNMENT FOE A POST

MORTEM.

An inquest was held at noon to-day in the Biccarton Hotel, before E. Beetham, Esq., and a jury, who chose Mr James Ostler as their foreman, touching the death of T. or F. Allan. After viewing the body the jury heard the following evidence : —

Duncan M'Callum, gatekeeper, to Inspector Pender : Was in the Park yesterday morning ylose upon G o'clock. Saw tbo d'.jccuseci l.vmj^ uyainet a cock of liaj. Thought the man was snoozing off the effects of drink. Told Mr Weir, who came back and told deceased to go away. Deceased said, "I am dying." Mr Curtis was there, and went for the police. Deceased's clothes were all open.

James Weir, lessee of the Park : In consequence of what the previous witness told him, he went to deceased. Thought deceased was drunk. He tumbled over and said he was dying. Told him not to expose himself. He was throwing himself about like a man in liquor. Mr Curtis came up, and witness and he went away, but returned, and, finding deceased, said the best thing they could do was to put the man in the hands of the •police. Witness expressed regret at having

to lock a man up on the holiday, and deceased said, " Let. me alone ; lam dying/ and when witness came back again deceased was dead. A flask of brandy fell out of deceased's pocket while he was throwing himself about. The flask produced was the same. (It was rather more than half full.) Constable William Lewia : From information received from Mr Curtis, at about twenty minutes past seven, went to deceased, whom witness found at about twenty minute? to eight. He was dead. Searched him, and found two pawn tickets (produced), and a flask ot brandy, which was lying by his side. In the pawnbrokers' book the name initial was F. Found 10s 5d on the body. The appearance of the hay indicated that deceased had been very restless. Deceased did not Bmell of liquor

John Dale, boarding house keeper, of 105 and 107, Manchester street: Recognised the body of the deceased as that of a man who paid for three nights, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday last. Could not say what time deceased left yesterday morning. He had no breakfast. On Tuesday morning he was very bilious, and vomited. Could not say that he had been drinking. Deceased appeared to be a very sober man. Never saw him drink or drunk. Did not know deceased's name or where he came from.

Constable Lewis here said that the •witness had told him that deceased was very shaky from drink, and that he (witness) had recommended him to get a battle of brandy. John Pale : Deceased might have had drink or not. He might have had drink on Tuesday morning. Should imagine from his appearance that he had been drinking, but never eavr him drunk. He asked for breakfast and could not take it. Witness suggested that he should take a liquor. Deceased said he would go and get a drink. Forgot if deceased had said he had been drinking. (This witness had several times to be cautioned by the Coroner.)

Inspector Pender said that the police had tailed to get anyone to identify the deceased.

Tbe Coroner explained that he had not considered it necessary to have a postmortemexamination,but if the jury thought that the evidence did not clearly indicate that deceased had b--.en drinking heavily and had died from the effects, then he (the Coroner) would order a post-mortew. The jury retired, and, after a brief ababsence, recommended that there should be a post-mortem.

The inquest waß adjourned till 5 p.m