PALMERSTON.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2704, 12 February 1876, Page 2

PALMERSTON.

(From our own correspondent.) February 10. An inquest was held at the Palmerston Hotel on Tuesday, February 8, before Dr Rockstro, Coroner, on the body of Patrick Gill, who was found dead on Palmerston Flat on Saturday evening last. The jury having been sworn, Mr H. McNeill was appointed Foreman. The evidence given by several witnesses was to the effect that the deceased was about thirty years of age aud a native of County, Mayo, Ireland. He had children residing in Christchurch, but appears to have reached Palmerston from Wanganui about Thursday last. He was seen drunk on Friday, but on Saturday, the day of his death, Gill's conduct is described as being like that of an insane man. The landlord of the Palmerston Hotel refused to supply him with liquor, and instructed his barman to do likewise. The barman appears to have served him with a glass of beer, but a man subsequently came in, called for a glass of whiskey, and handed it to deceased, who drank it off. He then became abusive to the landlord, and threatened to strike him, whereupon'Mr McDonnell shoved him out of his house, deceased falling to the ground ; he then got up and Mr McDonnell accompanied him a short distance up the road, but he had no sooner returned to the hotel than the deceased was back also. The constable was then communicated with by McDonnell, who told him that Gill was a nuisance in his house. About half -past six Gill was lying on the side of the tram with his head close to the rails, and to remove him to a place of safety McDonnell offered to " shout " drinks for a few who were standing near if a man called William Nathan would carry him on to the flat. Nathan carried deceased on his back and laid him on the flat. About 9.30 as Constable Donnelly and Mr McDonnell were going towards the Square, the latter called the Constable's attention to where Gill was lying. They went to him and found he was either dead or dying. Dr Akers was sent for, who, on arrival, pronounced the man to be dead. Dr Donaldson having made a post mortem examination, was of opinion that death was caused by exhaustion, brought on through want of food, and alcoholic poison. There was no mark of violence on the body. The Jury, after two retirements, brought in a verdict in accordance with Dr Donaldson's evidence. Before the jury were-dischargecl the Foreman presented the following letter to the Coroner requesting that he would forward it to the proper quarter :— The Jury appointed to enquire into the death of Patrick Gill desire to express to you that they consider the police supervision for the township of Palmerston North is not sufficient, it being impossible for the constable to attend to that duty, and ask you to represent their unprotected position to the proper authorities. Henry McNeill, Foreman. A meeting of the Manawatu Highway Board was held at the Courthouse here on the Bth February. Present— Messrs Snelson (Chairman), Dalrymple. Farmer, Hughey, Rockel, and McEwen. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A deputation from Messrs T. Smith, Howe, and Walkor presented a petition from the ratepayers in that district protesting against the expenditure of any money on a new line of road in the Motoa district, for which tenders had been called. The petition showed that the public in general would not derive any benefit from the making of the road, and further that the present road required a considerable amount of money to be expended upon it, otherwise it would be quite useless for traffic during the ensuing winter. They strongly urged their claims, and the Board, while thanking them for the information they gave, resolved tlwfc the I matter should receive immediate attention as far as their means would permit. The Inspector of Works was requested to visit the locality as soon as he possibly could, and report at the ne«ct meeting,

"Warden Mcl'l wen begged leave to bring forward the following resolution, which ho thought was the duty of tho Board, as a public body, to move in the matter, swing that in a shoit tiinu the various local bodies would participate largely in all land sold m their districts — "That this Board disapproves of the reckless manner in which the Provincial authorities are disposing of the waste lands, nioro especially that block of land at presont advertised for sale iv the RaugitikeiManawatu Block. They have no doubt that a large per ccntagc of the Block will fall into the hand of tho speculators, so that in future bona-iide settlers requiring the land will be unable to obtain it unless at an enormous price. They regret to say that they cannot see any provisions made by the provincial Government for making roads either to, or through the block for sale, consequently the construction of roads will fall with undue severity upon the ratepayers. The Board therefore trust that the General Government will bring such pressure as they may think fit, to prevent the sale of such lands for the present." Proposed by Warden Hughpy, and seconded by Warden Dalrymple that a copy of the above resolution be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary. Correspondence laid before tho meeting. Letter from the Provincial Secretary requesting to be furnished with a statement showing the amount of rates payable in this district under the new assessment in order to enable the Government to apportion'the grant payable to Road Boards. Letters from his Honor the Superinr tendant relative to the proposed separation of the Manchester block from the Manawatu Highway district.. In that of the 31st ult apian of .the new district was enclosed for the approval o£ the Board. Resolved— That the Board entertains no objection to the separation asked by the residents in Manchester block, ,biit they do object to a portion of the boundary as shown on the plan, and would suggest that the rail way line shoulcVbe the boundary on the south ancV west sides instead of that shown on plan. One reason why they object is that ratepayers in this district have strong, ' objections against being connected "with. th« proposed new district, and secondly that by tho railway line being adopted as the boundary it will no doubt f acilitateHho construction of roads on both sides, as each will be anxious to be " connected with the railway as soon as they possibly can. Letter from the Provincial Secretary informing the Board that Mr Baird Provincial Engineer would visit Palmerston shortly, and will give instructions to have the levels taken in Broad street as requested by the chairman in a letter dated January 17th, in which he likewise asked the Government to give a site suitable for a Highway office. In reply to that he stated that before the Reserve could be handed over for that purpose it would require the consent of the Provincial Cjoun.ciL.and since that Council would not be called together, the request could not be complied with. Letter from A. Ross, Esq., Registration Officer, asking to be. furnished with a list of names of ratepayers in the Manawatu Highway District. Letter from Register General asking for a return showing value of property, average population, revenue, &c. of the District. Petition from ratepayers in Foxton District asking the Board to make certain improvements at the end of the road leading to Motoa. The Inspector was instructed to visit the road in .question and report at next meeting. ; The Inspector's monthly, report was read and adopted. , Letter' from J. T. Stewart, Esq,District Engineor, relative to outlet ' drain from eastern encl of township towards 1 ' the river. He informed the Board that lie has been authorised to undertake the work, and. tliafc tenders will be called for the same. • „