"KNOCKING DOWN" HIS CHEQUE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7370, 26 January 1903, Page 2

"KNOCKING DOWN" HIS CHEQUE.

Fatal Termination to a Drinking Bout.

A sad story came tolight at a coroner's inquest, held at Napier, last week, on tho body of a man, named John Gorinley, who was found dead in a cottage on the Marine Parade. It came out in evidence that the unfortunate man had spent £86 in a three weeks' drinking bout. His intention was to take a trip to Eotorua, but ho never got beyond Napier, where his death occurred. He was G2 years of age. In twelve days he had got rid of £76, and afterwards drew .£lO out of his savings-bank account. When he went to sign the order of withdrawal, the clerk declined to recognise his signature, owing to tho effects of excessive drinking. He used to " shout" champagne for everyone in the dining-room at the hotel where he put up. After he had spent all his money he ran up a further score, for which he gave a valuable watch and chain as security. Of the money drawn from the Savings Bank, the police had been unable to get any trace. The Inspector read a telegram from the Hon. J. D. Ormond, stating that deceased had been engaged as cook at Wallingford station for the last four years. On leaving for Napier he was in good health, and had taken no liquor for twelve months. Deceased took a cheque for overfoO with him when he left the station.

The jury returned the following verdict : —" That deceased died from fatty degeneration of the heart, the heart showing long-standing disease, death being probably hastened by too free indulgence in intoxicants within the last month, and that the primary cause of death was heart disease." The jury was not unanimous. Two members desired to add a rider.