Inquests.

Canterbury Police Gazette, Volume XII, Issue 6, 16 March 1874, Page 39

Inquests.

An inquest was held at Christchurch, on the 16th February, 1874, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner, upon the body of George Hartshorn Ward, aged 10 years, who was drowned whilst bathing with his brother in the river Heathcote, at Wilson’s bridge, on the 14th February, 1874. Verdict —“ Accidental death.”

An inquest was held at Christchurch, on the 19th February, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner, upon the body of Ellen Brooks, aged 15 years. A post mortem examination was made by Dr. Ned will, who stated that the girl died of diptheria. Verdict —“ Death from natural causes.”

An inquest w r as held at Lyttelton, on the 20th February, 1874, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner, upon the body of Robert Harris, aged 66, who was killed by a fall from his horse at Dyer’s Pass, on the 18th February. Verdict “Accidental death.”

An inquest was held at Christchurch, on the 23rd February, 1874, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., Coroner, upon the body of Mary Jeffreys, who died from childbirth at Halswell on the 21st February, 1874. Dr. Nedwill stated that when he arrived at the house Mrs. Jeffreys was in a dying state, and he could do nothing for her. Verdict — “ Died from natural causes —to wit, childbirth.”

An inquest was Ashburton, on the 24th February, 1874, before A. Saunders, Esq., J.P, upon the body of '.Robinson Clough, aged 72, who was found dead in his hut in Alford Forest, on the 22nd February, 1874. Verdict—Died from apoplexy, probably caus d by excessive drinking.”

An inquest was held at Ashburton, on the sth instant, before Alfred Saunders, Esq , J.P., upon the body of John Travis, aged 45 years, who died suddenly at Ashburton on the previous day. Verdict “Died from inflammation ot the stomach and bowels, accelerated by exposure.”

A WXrrant is filed in Commissioner’s office for the arrest of Stephen Adolphus Swaysland, described as “ missing friend ” in Police Gazette No. 24, 1873, page 126.

Ralph Gibson Flindell is charged ou warrant, filed in Commissioner’s office, with wife desertion on the 22nd January last. English, 35 or 37 years, sft. 6 or 7in., stout build, dark complexion and hair, beard, whiskers, and moustache. A hawker by trade. Dressed when leaving home in dark tweed suit and Scotch cap. Supposed to have gone to Oamaru

Reverting to Police Gazette No. 4, 1874, page 24, offender Joseph Leatham has been arrested by Chief-Detective Sergt. Feast.

A young looking man, no whiskers, rather boyish appearance, about 20 years of age, sft. lOin. high, wearing a dark brown hat, brown tweed coat, dark dirty-looking trousers with a sort of faded stripe through them, and a dirty white-looking pocket-handker-chief round his neck, is charged by Clara Cox with indecent exposure of his person to her and some other children in the Domain grounds, between 5 and 6 p.m. on the 11th instant.

A Man described as an Englishman, 30 years of age, sft. Bin., slender build, thin and very red face, dark hair, small dark whiskers and moustache, dressed in dark clothes, white shirt, tall black hat, respectable looking appearance, is charged with indecently assaulting Clara Burrows at 9 p.m. on the 4th inst., in the neighbourhood of the cemetery.

A Man, supposed to be a tinsmith, about 27 years of age, sft. 7in. high, medium build, fair complexion, dark whiskers, wearing a cap, blue coat, and moleskin trousers spotted with black, is charged with indecently assaulting Mrs. Mary r Vague, at 9 a.m. on the 17th February last, on the Papanui Road.

Reverting to Criminal Offences, Christchurch, dated 7th March, 1874, the offender therein described is believed to be identical with Alfred Osborn arrested by ChiefDetective Feast, and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment hard labour, lor indecent exposure of his person.

At 4 p.m. on the 21st February last, a cottage at the Sheep Dip near the home station at Messrs. Buckley and McLean’s run, Waitangi, was set on fire ; it is supposed maliciously. A reward of fifty pounds lor the discovery of the perpetrator is ofteied by Mr. Buckley.

Some mischievous persons removed some stones from the arch of the bridge, an broke a gate leading into the grounds ot Mr. William Wilson, Ferry Road, on the night of the 31st December, 1873.