INQUEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5056, 15 September 1894, Page 4

INQUEST.

An inquest was held this morning at Sydenham touohing the death of Orlando Merritt, who died on Thursday night, Me K. Beetham, coroner, presided, ana Mr W. Hobbs was chosen foreman of the jury. Dr Prankish deposed that on Thursday evening about eight o'clook he was called to see the deoeased, who was then in a complete state of collapse and unconscious. No pulse could be felt at the wrist. Deoeased died shortly afterwards in the presence of witness, Mrs Merritt deposed that herboy wa» quite healthy and Btrong, though of a nervous disposition. About 7.40 on Thursday evening he came home. Witness saw that deceased wes ill, and he said, "Ma, the boy Haworth kicked me in tho stomach." Deceased then became unconscious and did not recover. John L. Wileon, fifteen years of age, stated that on Thursday evening he and a number of boys, including deoaased, were playing hookey in Harper Street. They liad just finished one game, and were standing talking, when deceased and Haworth were heard quarrelling about a hockey-stick. The two boys then began sparring ab one another. Deceased was about to hit Haworth, but Haworth hit out in defence, and struck deceased in the chest. Deceased then went over to the gutter and started vomiting. Just after that deceased got up and walked home. Witness did not think there was anything serious the matter. Was euro there was only one blow struck by Haworth. There was no truth in the report that Haworth kicked deceased. The quarrel botween deceased and Haworth was nothing extraordinary. Harry J. Yates, eighteen years of age, stated that; he had just come out from his tea when he saw deceased lift his stick as though to hit Haworth, who put out his arm to stop the blow, and hit deceased in the side. Did not hear any quarrelling. Dr B. W. Anderson stated that he had made an examination of the body, which was that of a well-nourished and healthy boy. There were no external marks of violence, none of the orgaus were laoerated, and there had been no hemorrhage. In his opinion, the deceased had received a blow in the pit of the stomach, and death was due to shock, acting through the nervous system. It would not require a very severe blow to shook the system of a young boy like deceased. Frederick Hawortb, thirteen years of age, Btated that on the evening in question he and decessod had a quarrel about a hockey stiok. Deceased lifted his stick as though to hit witness. In defence witneao put up his hand and struck deceased in the chest. Mr Beetham summed up, aud the jury, after a abort deliberation, returned a verdict of " Accidental death." Cbibbage. — A cribbage matoh was played at Sumner on Tuesday between tbp Sumner Cribbage Club and ft team from the Pioneer Bicycle Club, and resulted in a win tor the Sumner team by twenty-four garnet to eighteen.