INQUEST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1728, 6 December 1887, Page 2

INQUEST

At the iaqueßt yesterday touching the death of Edward MoOormlok, the following evidence was taken after went to prfiss: — John Stribling, keeper of the Panama Boardinifhoußt\ recognised deceased as the man who came to his house about ten o'clock cm Saturday night. Did not know hia name. Deceased went to bed at ouoe, aad asked witness not to call him m the morning if he was not awake, because he had pot had much sleep lately. Deceased aeemed s'upld, as if he had been drinking, but he was not drunk. About ten o'clock on the following morning Carmlohael came to witness and asked him to have a look at deceased, because he did not seem well. Witness saw the deceased and tried to wake him, but aa he oould not he went for Dr Trevor. The dootor oansed a Bearoh to be made, and the bottle produced was found m deceased's trouaer pocket, Witness sent for the police. Witness daw the deceased on Friday night, and he then appeared half drank. Sergeant Felton said that at 10.30 a.m. on Sunday, being seat for, he went to the Panama Boardinghouse. Found Dr Trevor attending the deceased. At Dr Trevor's request, Dr Leahy was sent for, The man died at 11 45 a.m. Witness searobed the body and found a pipe, some ootton wool, and a piece of paper; A knife was found m the bed. Saw the man on Friday morning ; he was stupid looking. Saw him earlier iv the week. Knew nothing m regard to him. By the Jury ; When witness saw the man on Friday he aeemed aa if ha was 111; The jury retired to conßldar their verdict, and after a brief absence returned with the following verdict :—" That the deceased, Edward McOormiok, came by his death from tbe effects of an overdose of laudanum, accidentally taken, he not knowing the nature of the drag." The Coroner did not wish to dioUte 'to the Jury, but it seemed to him that the evidence did not show whether the deceased knew anything or not as to the potent nature of the drug he had taken. Mr Neate said that when the deceased asked for the laudanum he said that he knew how to uuo ifc, The Coroner oould not take this statement of Mr Neate's now. The Jury, after a brief diecusaion, adopted the Ooroner's view of the matter, and amended their verdict that Edward McOormlck came to his death through the effeots of an overdose of laodanum, but that there was no evidence to show how or why administered.