INQUEST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 642, 8 September 1882, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday at Mr Thackcr's miw mill, Okiiin'f) Bay, on the body of a women naiu<d K-izaboth Ann Shiickel, a resident in the Biy. who suddenly on Tuesday List. The Coroner (Mr Ajlmer) conducted the enquiry, and Mr (JliHileH Brown was chosen foreman of the jury. The following evidence was taken :—

Thomas Shackef, sworn, said : Deceased was my wife. I remember Tuesday, s(h of September. On that day I left home about 6 a.m.. returning about 6 p in. snme day. Deceased was at my neighbor's, Emery Malmanche's, and I saw her there. She was then washing Malm mche'a floor, as Mrs Milmanche was ill. About 6.;30 p.m. deceased returned home with me, and then went and cooked food for herself an.i children. After placing the food on the table, she was speaking to her brother, John Close, when she suddenly fell. I

heard her fall, and, looking round, saw deceased lyinic on her back. I lifted her up, and sent John Close for water, with whi h I spiinkled her. Deceased opened her eyes, and I then placed her on the sofa. Afterwards there was a noise in her throat, and all movement then ceased. James G-r en ami J'>hn Close were present. Deceased never complained of being ill.

By Jury: After her confinement she had fainting fits.

John Clare, sworn, sdd : I am a laborer residing in Ok tin's Bay, and brother of deceased. On Tuesday last I was in deceased's house, about 6 p.m. Deceased was cooking for the children. Deceased gave her child rei> some food, and then lifted a chair to sit down on, and then fell with her head against the *ofa. Deceased's husband lifted her up, and sent me for COJd Water. Sl)e gave a few groans and opened her e3'es. Her hueband then lifted her on to the sofa. I know no reason for deceased's falling. Deceased and her husband were on good terms. I never heard ot her being ill.

Francis E. C. Singleton, ft legally qualified medical man, sworn, said: I have tliis day made apost mortem examination of the body of Elizabeth Ann Shackel. The body is that of a wellnourished woman, between 25 and 30 yours. On opening the cheat the heart was examined in situ. The pericardium and pericardial cavities were healthy. The I cavities of the heart were empty. The valves of the heart were healthy, with the exception of the aortic valves. They were incompetent. The lungs were healthy. The calvarium was removed and the brain- exaini ed, but no lesion was to bo found The abdominal oavify was opetmd. The liver and other abdominal organs were healthy. The uterus was examined and was found to contain a foetus. There were no external marks of violence on the body and no bruise on the hend, nor a;iy fracture of the skull. From the foregoing examination, I am of opinion that the deceased died of cardiac syncope induced by valvular disease of the heart.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. Deceased leaves a family of five little children.