DEATH OF A PRISONER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11948, 6 March 1917, Page 6

DEATH OF A PRISONER.

INQUEST AT HOSPITAL-. An inquest was held at the Hospital this afternoon, before. Mr H. W. Bishop, district, coroner, the body of William Gilliland, a prisoner at Panama Prison. Walter M'Millan, gaoler at Paparua Prison,' gave evidence that deceased was a prisoner in his custody under sentence, of three years' reformative treatment from October 30, 1916. Deceased was transferred from Lyttelton Prison on February 9 last, and was takee ill on February 22. He was attended by the goal surgeon and sent to Ohristohurch Hospital on March 1, Deceased was in a. serious condition when sent, to the Hospital, but everything IKissible had been done for him. The instructions of the gaol surgeon had been duly carried out. The gaol surgeon saw deeeased only once, on February 27. There were then no 'serious symptoms. These did not develop until 10 p.m. <th February 28. Deceased improved a little the following day, but got bad again and was sent to the Hospital at 3 p.m. William Hunter Will, house surgeon, Christchnrch Hospital, gave evidence that deceased was .admitted on March I, in the afternoon. Deeeasect was iu a more or less collapsed state, and suffering acutely with persistent diarrhea and vomiting. Ho gradually got worse, and died at G. 40 ft.m. on MareWG. Dr Pearson, the pathologist, under. instructions from the coroner, had made a post-mortem examination of the both-. Witness produced Dr Pearson's written report of the examination, which indicated that death was due to acute dysentery. The coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.