ADJOURNED INQUEST.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12381, 4 February 1908, Page 5

ADJOURNED INQUEST.

, The adjourned inquiry into the circunisxances connected with the death of the late George Henry Wat6ou, who died in the Hospital on Thursday last from meningitis, was held at the Courthouse yesterday afternoon before the Coronor (Mr R. L. Stanford, S.M.), and the jury as previously mentioned . The proceedings were adjourned on Friday to enable the police to oommunicate with Mr Churton, who had gone to Waitara, and who witne66ed the trouble between deceased" and the young man Cavanagh. Walter Harry Churton, farmer, residing at Putiki, said he knew the deceased, who visited witness's place between 5 and 6 on Saturday, milked the cows, aud then with witness went down to the river. They saw Cavaiiagh on the beach and deceased •sked — "Who is that coming,?" and on witness replying Mr Donald's man (Cavanagh), deceased said "I want to have it •out with him." He then went up to Cavanaefh and asked 'him if he had said anything about setting fire to timber on the be&on. Ca^anagh replied "No." Deceased then asked again; Cavanagh smiled, and deceased then went into a rage, used abusive expressions, and was putting up his fists. "Cavanagh behaved well up to this, but on deceased continuing the offensive language, Cavanagh said "A2l ri£ht, if you want v, take it," and hit deceased, who fell, but got i»p almost immediately, and ran again at Cavanagh, saying "I'm not done with you yet." Cavanagh would not strike a?ain, and deceased left. The blow was received on the mouth. Deceased.returned to witness's at night to see the paper, and on Sunday milked the cows, night and morning, but did not complain about being Unwell or feeling any pain, although he was quieter than usual and Ela face was somewhat discoloured. To Mr Treadwell. — The quarrel was provoked by the deceased, who was unusually abusive. Had known Cavanagh for some time, and found him to be a quiet, respectable young^ man. He showed : great forbearance during the trouble. Dr. Wilson, who assisted at the post mortem, described the injuries found on the face and thigh, and stated that there was diffuse sceptio inflammation extending over practically the whole brain surface. This was probably of som# duration, and such a degree of affection would not have occurred in a few days. He could not see nnv connection between the break of the nose, apd fhe inflammation of the brain,and there was no other affection of any of the other organs to account for the affection of the brain, as the latter trouble is generally the result of a disorder in sonte other organ. Diffuse septic meningitis was the cause of death. The fact of a person being under the influence of liquor would hasten meningitis when the disease had once commenced. Mere Takarei, with whom deceased lived st P"tiki «taW that on Saturday deceased went to town and returned sliphtlv the worse for liquor. He, however, milked Mr Churton 'a -rows but on returning flis face wai bruised, and he said Mr Donald s man had hit him. He complained on Sunday of a pain in the back of his head and -f hv h'-oVen ncse, and on Monday wrfl nnnM* to -r^t ur. He became worse and on Tuesday was delirious. The 'jury, after a short retirement, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.