INQUESTS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 291, 18 May 1875, Page 3

INQUESTS.

JOSEPH BETTS. An inquest was held on Monday, May 17, before J. W. 8. Coward, Esq, coroner, at the Oxford Hotel, on the body of Joseph Betts, who was found drowned in the Avon on Saturday last. Richard Cuningham and Sergeant Wilson deposed to finding the body, and removing it to the hotel. Robert McKnight, who was examined, stated that he knew the deceased since 1869, at which time he (deceased) made over property to his wife to the value of about £2OO per year. Deceased then left Christchurch, and went to the Auckland diggings, where he was unsuccessful, and returned to Canterbury in a state of poverty. Some short time afterwards he went to work, and subsequently was committed to the Inebriate Asylum, remaining there for six months. He then lived with witness until the 30th April last. He (deceased) was suffering very much from swollen legs, and was unable to work. He applied to his wife for assistance, but she refused to give him anything. As his (witness 1 ) house was full deceased left. On last Saturday fortnight he met deceased,, who told him he was very badly off. He then took him to his house, and afterwards rented a room opposite, deceased coming over to the house for his meals. On Wednesday he met deceased at half-past seven in the morning, when he said he was going to work for Mr Anderson. Did not see him afterwards until he was found dead. Henry Haddrell, landlord of the Market Place Hotel, had known deceased for years. Saw him on last Wednesday walking at the opposite side of the street. A juror wished that the wife of the deceased might be examined. It was stated by a person in the room that being under m< dical treatment she was unable to attend. There was no medical evidence taken, the only mark observable on the deceased being on the left ear, a portion of which seemed to have been bitten away. The jury returned an open verdict. ANNIE SPKING. An inquest was held at Southbridge, on Monday, the 17th instant, before C. J. Bridge, Esq, and a jury of whom Mr H. Paddy was chosen foremao, on the body of Annie Bpring, who died early on Sunday morning. The evidence of the husband of the deceased, and that of the nurse who had attended her previous to her death, as well as on several former occasions, proved that her having been subject to previous attacks of a similar nature had delayed them from sending for a doctor until it was too late, the arrival of the doctor taking place after death. The evidence of Dr Chapman was likewise taken, which proved that congestion and inflammation of the bowels must have set in shortly before death, and a verdict in accordance was returned by the jury, that the deceased had died from the effects of excessive drinking.