INQUESTS.

Otago Police Gazette, Volume II, Issue 5, 29 February 1864, Page 27

INQUESTS.

A magisterial inquiry was held on the 22nd of January, 1864, at Mutton Town, Dunstan, by H.W. Robinson, Esq., Resident Magistrate, on the body of John M’Gregor, aged 31 years, a storekeeper, who was accidentally lulled by a fall from his horse between the Dunstan and Mutton Town, on the 21st of Januaiy, 1864. Verdict accordingly.

A magisterial inquiry was held on the 27th of January, 1864, at Pleasant Creek, Upper Shotover, by Charles Williamson, Esq., Resident Magistrate, on the body of George Matthews, aged 23 years, a miner, who was accidentally killed by a piece of rock falling upon him while working in his claim at 1 feasant Creek, on the 26th of January, 1864. Verdict accordingly. Deceased was a native of Camden, New South Wales; his other, 4 homas Matthews, resides at South Gundngai, New South ales.

A magisterial inquiry, was held on the 28th of January, 1864, at the Commercial Hotel, Port Molyneux, by E. J. Rich, Esq., Resident Magistrate, on the body of Samuel Cockcroft, red 35 years, a carpenter, who was accidentally drowned, on the night of the 24th of January, 1864, by falling overboard from the schooner Flying Squirrel, into the River

Molyneux. Verdict accordingly. Deceased v as a native of Halifax, England.

A coroner’s inquest was held, on the 2nd of February, 1864, at Cooper's Family Hotel, Princes-street, Dunedin, by T. M. Hocken, Esq., coroner, on the-body-of John Craig, aged 28 years, an engineer, which was found in the waters of Dunedin Bay, with fractures of the skul , on the Ist of February, 1864. Verdict That the deceased, John Craig, on the ; Ist day of February, 1864, was found dead in the waters of Dunedin Bay, with fractures of the skull, of which fractures he instantly died, but how or by what means such injuries were caused there was no evidence to. show. Deceased was chief engineer of the steamer “Queen,” trading between Dunedin and the Northern Island, and at that time lying at Port Chalmers. He came to Dunedin on leave on the afternoon of the 30th of January, having been paid off from the “ Queen,” and receiving £34, and was last seen alive in Princes-street at 2.30 a.m. on the 31st January. Deceased was a native of Scotland. The whole of his money and property" have been satisfactorily accounted for, and no assignable reasons exist for the belief that he has been murdered.

A magisterial inquiry was held on the 12th of February, 1864, at Foster’s Accommoda-tion-house, Shotover River, by R. Beetham, Esq., Resident Magistrate, on the body of William Colville, aged 35 years, a slaughterman, who was accidentally drowned by being thrown from his horse while fording the Shotover River at Foster’s Ford, on the 11th February, 1864. Verdict accordingly.

A coroner’s inquest was held on the 15th of February, 1864, at the Provincial Hotel, Port Chalmers, by T M. Hocken, Esq., coroner, on the body of William Broadhurst, aged 26 years, a seaman, who was accidentally drowned by falling overboard from the “Caledonia” lighter, while proceeding from Port Chalmers to Dunedin, on the 6th of February, 1864. Verdict accordingly.

A, magisterial • inquiry was held on the 20th ot February, 1864, at Frankton, by Richard Beetham, Esq., Resident Magistrate, on the body of James Cameron, aged 24 years, a shepherd, in the employ of Rees, Esq., who was accidentally drowned while crossing the falls of the Kawaura, on -the morning of the 19th of February, 1864. Verdict accordingly.