CORONER'S INQUEST.
An inquest upon the body of Alexander Johnston, who was found dead upon the :>outh Spit on Monday last, was held by the" Coroner, Dr Beswick, yesterday, at Mace's Hotel, Lagoon Town.
Several witnesses were examined, the first of whom— Robert M'Neli — being sworn, said that he was by occupation a packer, residing at the South Spit and had known the deceased by sight for between three and four months. He (witness) last saw him alive on Sunday afternoon iast, in a store in He veil-street On the morning of the preceding day witness saw him at Ross, and then deceased complained of ill health, /-and expressed a desire *to enter the Ross hospital. .He applied to Dr Hoskins, who refused him admittance, but offered to trea.t him as ati out-door patient. Deceased th_eu left Ross, and walked to the 'Hokitika Hospital, near which the witness overtook him and offered him accommodation for the night in his (.witness 1 ) tent. The next morning deceased went to the hospital, but being too early failed to set- J)r Ryley, so ho decided to at once proceed to Hokitika, and said he should lodge at the Gridiron Hotel. Deceased had been complaining for some time. Witness * believes he was seriously affected.
Richard Boyle deposed that he was a waterman residing at the South Spit. On Monday morning, whilst at. breakfast, he saw a man walking up the spit accompanied by a dog. Suddenly he fell down, and the dog commenced- running round him and scratching up the sand. Witness was alarmed, and said to his mate, " Good God, Harry, what is the matter with that man." Both hastened to the spot, but were kept at bay by the^ dog.. Deceased was then breathing, but seeing that he was seriously ill, a Mr Grey went for Dr Ryley. Henry Farmer deposed that he was a storekeeper residing at the South Spit. On Monday morning a boatman in his place exclaimed " What has become of that man who^a moment ago was walking along the Spit." Witness looked and saw a large dog running round something lying upon the ground, which looked like a human oeing. The witness and "boatmanwalked up to it, but the dog would not allow them to approach. Observed the man was lying on his back and breathing heavily. Subsequently the dog was enticed away, but by that time the man was dead About ten minutes elapsed from the time he first saw deceased until he was able to ascertain that he was dead.
John Allen Lycett said that he was assistaut to Mr Williams, chemist, of Hokitika. He recognised the deceased as d person who applied to him for medicine to cure a sore-throat and hoarseness. Witness supplied a mixture, but recommended the deceased to apply for advice to some medical man. ' , *
Charles Wood deposed that he was a \\ aiter at the Gridiron Hotel. On Sundaj' afternoon the debased came to the hotel, and stayed there that night, leaving' again on Monday morning at half past > five. He was very hoarse, and; said he must get some medicine, adding that he had tried to get into the hospital* but without success. He was attended by a large dog, and when he left th« house v on Monday morning said that he intended, to sell the animal. He purposed returning by dinner time. George Johnston being sworn deposed that he was a miner, and recognised the body as once belonging to his mate, Alexander Johnston, who had worked with him at Jones' Creek since the commencement of last June. They parted at Ross on Saturday list between eleven and twelve o'clock. Deceased was in low spirits, and complained of ill health. He left Ross ;for the purpose ot making application at the Hokitika Hospital for admittance. He was a native of Sweden,
Sergeant Beattie deposed to taking charge of the body on the South > Spit. Found nine shillings upon it and a miners' right. ♦
Dr. R. Ryley deposed that ne was called upon to attend deceased on Monday morning, but on arriving found- that life had departed. The body 'was quite warm. From outward .appearances presented by the body, and information received of the symptoms of deceased, witness was of opinion that death was caused by disease of the heart. The jury returned a verdict of " Died by the Visitation of God."
CORONER'S INQUEST.
West Coast Times, Issue 339, 24 October 1866, Page 2
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