11.—14 a

4

see him until sth March, 1880. I had no complaint between the 3rd September, 1879, and sth March, 1880. On sth March he complained of a pain in his chest. I examined him, stripping him for that purpose. I could find no cause to account for the pain, and no indication of disease in the chest. I prescribed for him a blister on the chest —that was all. I saw Wilson again on the Bth March, when he said he was better, and I gave him a tonic mixture. I again saw him on the 13th March. I think he must have applied to see me, most likely at the usual visit. I found him very much in the same state, and I repeated his medicine. On the 15th March I also saw prisoner, when he said he was no better. On the 17th I again saw Wilson, and examined him carefully over his chest, back and front. I could discover nothing the matter with him. I think it was on this date that the warder, McKillop, told me that Wilson did not work as well as the other men—that he stood with his hands on his chest when people, were passing. The question as to his fitness for work was raised by Warder McKillop. I think the warder said he did not want a man in his gang who went and did as the prisoner Wilson did. I think the prisoner said he was unable to do the work. On the 25th March I next saw him, when he complained of shortness of breath. I prescribed for him on that occasion, thinking he might be hypochondriacal. On the 27th March I again saw him and examined him with the same result as before, nothing to indicate disease. On this occasion Warder McKillop, in presence of the prisoner, told me that the prisoner not only did eat his own rations, but also any the other men left : this statement was volunteered by the warder. The warder knew that I did not think there was anything the matter with Wilson. I then made the entry that I thought he was malingering. I visited the gaol on the 29th March, but Wilson made no application to see me. On the 25th April I visited the gaol as usual, and I think the gaoler asked me to see Wilson, and we went to his cell, when we found him lying quite natural on his bed, so much so that I thought he was asleep, and remarked not to wake him up. I think the gaoler went forward and remarked that his forehead was cold, and we then found that he was dead. I would say that he had been dead two hours, as the body was partially stiff: this would be about five minutes past 4 p.m. During the period from sth March to sth April I had not relied upon my own observation of Wilson, but asked the gaoler, Eraser, if he had observed anything to indicate illness in prisoner, and he said not. The prisoner was a tall, spare man, with by no means a look of ill-health about him. I would have taken him to be not more than forty-three years of age, from his appearance. I certainly thought he was malingering, but I find he was not treated as such after I had made the entry of that in the Medical Book. On looking over No. 2 scale, which I am informed the deceased got from 24th March to sth April, I certainly gave it as my opinion that in the hospital he would have got much the same, except, perhaps, the addition of milk. Hard labour would undoubtedly be hurtful to a person in deceased's state. I think between the sth March and 17th I told the gaoler that prisoner Wilson was fit for work, although 1 have not noted it. I came to the conclusion prisoner Wilson was malingering for the following reasons : 1. I could find no symptoms of disease after three careful examinations. 2. The manner and appearance of the deceased gave no indication of disease. 3. I had confidence in the gaol authorities, and in answer to my questions to them they had observed nothing that would indicate disease. 4. I had been informed that he had been disappointed in not getting the position of cook in gaol, which would give some motive. 5. That he took his food well. Angina pectoris did not occur to me. In reference to the post mortem that took place, I desire to say that I did not name any particular medical man to make the post-mortem examination, nor in any way indicated that I had any desire for any particular one. The appointing of Dr. Hanan was made by the Coroner, without reference to me. Arthur Sedgley Hanan, sworn : I am a duly-qualified medical practitioner residing at Invercargill. I was called by order of the Coroner to make the post mortem on the body of prisoner Wilson, and did so on the 6th April. Until I received the Coroner's order I did not know who was to make the post mortem. I got the order on the evening of the sth April. I found the prisoner died of breast-pain, or, as it is called, angina pectoris. Unless the patient is seen in the fit of pain, there may not be local symptoms to indicate the disease. I would say there is no remedy, but quiet and rest is the best treatment. The right coronary artery was blocked by a small deposit in the coat of the aorta, from which the coronary artery arises. The hardening of the aorta was about the size of a split pea. It was so small as not to cause a sound, and so might not bo discovered. The right side of the heart, from having a deficient supply of blood, was attenuated. The left side of the heart was all right. A full pulse would therefore be given at the wrist.-' The body was well nourished. For a man suffering as prisoner was, ISfo. 2 rations were far better than No. 1. No. 1 would be too much for a man not working. It was an incurable case, and only a question of time. Hard labour was against him. My opinion is that the deceased had had the disease for a long time. There were no signs of ill-treatment or starvation about his body. James McKillop, sworn: lam a warder in the Invercargill Gaol. I was so on 28th March, 1879. I knew John Wilson :he was a prisoner in the gaol. He was under my charge from the date of his sentence, 2.lst April, 1879, to 25th March, 1880. I made no report about Wilson until the 25th March, 1880, when I reported that he stood for an hour after dinner, and did not do anything all that time ; he rubbed his breast as if he was ill. I said to the deceased, " You have been standing now for about an hour: if you are not fit for your work you ought not to come out to do it." He then resumed work, and did a little. I heard the deceased telling some of the prisoners when they were engaged in lifting that he could not do that, as he had a weak chest. The prisoner gave the other prisoners to understand he had a weak chest from the time he came into prison. He made no direct complaint to me. I did not think he was so ill as he pretended to be. I never compelled him to work as others, thinking he was not an able-bodied man. 1 had also heard he had been to the doctor. On the 27th March the gaoler was absent when the doctor came to the gaol, and I saw him and mentioned to him that prisoner Wilson had stopped work for an hour and been rubbing his chest on the 25th. He told me to bring him in. I did so. I told the doctor, in answer to a question as to how he took his food, I could bring prisoners to prove that he took his own food and any that was left by others. The prisoner made no remark. I called prisoners Potter and fiobertson; Potter went in and saw the doctor, and he, the doctor, after putting questions to him, said that was all that was requisite. I had