THE INQUEST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 31 December 1907, Page 2

THE INQUEST.

An enquiry concerning' the death of Thomas O'Connell, which occurred (aider sudden circumstatnees at Mataroa on Tuesday, was opened by Mr. Coroner Aldridge at that toAvnship the same titternoon at the dwelling house of Mr. Donald McDonald, before the following j ury : _Donald McDonald (foreman), John Oliver William Pask, Frederick Haynes, David Hamilton, and Matthew Paine. . Edward Simmons, a labourer, working at Mataroa, was the first witness called and deposed to seeing deceased, whom ho knew last alive at 10 o'clock that morning. He arrived at witness s wharo at daybreak in a drunken condition. Witness was at that time m bed, and was aroused by deceased striking matches. When he saw witness, doceased said. " Well, Ted, how are you?" and then rolled on to the floor of the bedroom. He did not get up, but sat there, and witness made him a cup of tea about 4.30 a.m. In reply to a question, deceased said he intended going back to Taihape for more whisuy, and when he had finished the tea witness told him it was time he was gomg if he wished to catch the train. Doceased then left, but returned in about ten minutes with a bag, which he said he had found on the road. Among other things this contained a bottle of whisky. Advised deceased to go, but he replied ho was going to have n " nip " and he then opened the bottle and had four " nips." At this time ho was in a helpless stato of drunkenness, and sitting on a box. Advised lrirn^ to sit in a chair, which he did, sleeping at intervals until 10 a.m. Witness went outside and fell asleep for an hour and a quarter. On waking he noticed there was "something wrong" with deceased, and on examining him found tho body was cold. Told a neighbour of the event, and 'on bis advice wired the police. Deceased expired while sitting in the chair. . - D;\ E. 0. Barnet said that he had ■ been called to see the body of the deceased, and from instructions made a post mortem examination. Described tho condition of tho internal organs. "The liver, which was a typical drunkard's livor, was enlarged, and tho heart very fatty. Considered death was duo to acuto congestion of the lungs, following: a ohill after drinking. By a Juror: Tho acute congestion immediately before death would not be noticed in his state at that time.

By the Foreman: Death would be hastened by exposure. j ■•'Constable- Wade, of Taihape, on information received, proceeded to Matj"aToa and searched the body, finding i 25s Bd, a metal watch, and a pair of | spectacles. Knew deceased to bo of i drunken" habits',and saw him at Mataj roa tho previous night at 6 o'clock. Ho was then in a drunken condition.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.— •'Taihapo Daily Times." .