CORONER'S INQUEST.

West Coast Times, Issue 971, 2 November 1868, Page 4 (Supplement)

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest Avas held on Wednesday, at the European Hotel, Gibson's Quay, on vieAv of the body of Patrick Heenan, aged fourteen yeavs, before Dr Bcswick, coroneu and a jury, of whom Mr T. North wa chosen foreman.

Atter the body had been viewed, the following Avitnesses were examined.

Margaret Heenan, examined by Sergeant Major ilickson, deposed—l am the Avife of John Heenan, aud deceased's mother. I last saw him alive at home at about an hour and a half before bis death. He left, saying that he would go dowu on the wharf.

Joseph Stanley deposed— l saw the deceased on the Avhai-f "yesterday afternoonSome men Avere drawing a log by a horse along the wharf, and Avhen if stopped deceased Avent and sat on the log with bis head res' ing on his hands and his elboAV on his knees. Some men Avere leaning on the log at the same time. The driver Ay standing near the boy, and the driver went to the horse's head, and Avithout telling anybody started the horse. The boy then fell forward on his side and rolled, and the Avheel Avent right over him. The men Avere 'enning oh the log at the time it commenced to move. They Avere not assisting to roll the log, but Avere resting on it. One of the men very nearly fell; he touclie;! the boy on the shoulder, and sang out to the driver to stop. That mini's name is James Wade, and he sung out "Oh, my God!— Wo J" The driver stopped the horse at once, but the log Avas then on deceased's bod}', and continued to roll after (he horse had i topped. The boy never moved or spoke. I never hoard the driver give any notice previously. I neA'cr heard him speak. As the driver started the horse he Avas standing Avhere he could see the boy, and he had hold of the horse's head.

By the Foreman — The horse Avas about tAvelve feet from the log. No person called out to the driver to start. I and my little brother Avere putting handspikes under the log.

By the Coroner — After the accident occurred the men still A\ r ent on with their work.

By Sergeaut Major Ilicksou — I assisted of my own accord. Ido not know Avho lifted up the boy. I could not look at him.

James Wade deposed — I was on the Avharr 1 yesterday afternoon betAveen three and four o'clock and saAv the deceased killed. I stopped at the log because I heard tAvo persons talking about the merits of horse driving. The log then stopped and the deceased Avas sitting on it afeout a foot from the end next the road. I Avas on one side of the log and he Avas sitting on the other Avith my elbow nearly touching his back. No other persons Avere (in the log at the time. When the log Avas first moved the boy fell and tried to roll, but could not. I never heard any person give notice before starting the horse. The driver and two other men Avere, before the horse started, at the side of the lo;j and must have seen the boy if they had their Avits about them.' When tbe log started, I cried out, '-Oh! my God, avo!" but the boy fell, and though he tried to roll, the log Avent right OA'er him. The driver stopped, but when 1 cannot say, for I Avas quite confused. Three or four minutes had elapsed from the time I stood there until the bey was killed. The horses heels were close up to the log whtn he started.

By the Coroner — The log Avas about 16 feet long, and, I should suppose it to be about two tor.s Aveight.

Frederick Welsh deposed that some men Avere leaning on the log, and they first sang out for the driver to start, and when the boy fell, one of the men sang out for tbe driver to stop. They sun<£ out to the driver three or four times to stop before he did so. The driver did not take hold of the horse Avhen ho started it. Patrick Lyons gave corroborative testimony.

The Coroner having briefly summed up> said that the question the jury had to decide Avas whether the driver shewed wilful negligence in starting the horse, or Avhether he used that care and prudence necessary to be used in such a case.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," but added a rider to the effect that the men Avorking at the back of the log were greatly to blame for allowing the boy to sit there, and not warning him of his danger.

The driver, Avho hsul been in custody Avas tlr,n discharged.

The foundation for the marvellous story told by Mr Parkes at Kianm, according to the Empire of the 29th ultimo, is this : — A certain individual gave information to the Government, some time before the arrival of Prince Alfred, that his Tloyal Highness woultt most likely be attacked by an assassiu, but his statement avjis deemed unworthy of notice. Finding that no attention Avas paid to it he wrote to his i'oyal Highness, after the infamous attack Avas made, stating that he had Avritten to the Government Avithout effect. This led to a reply from Lord Belmore, aud the informer, in consequence, had an interview with Mr Parkes, no doubt in the expectation of some substantial reAvard from the Government-. This mysterious person is described in the same journal as one of the common Irish informers, Avho made themselves conspicuous in the dress of the Youug Ireland party. Since that time, he has been moving about in colonial society, with, results wcll-kuown to the detectives of Syduey,