THE MOLESWORTH STREET FATALITY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1332, 9 January 1912, Page 3

THE MOLESWORTH STREET FATALITY.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., hold an inquiry concerning the death of Thomas Peddio, a young farmer from Colyton (Feildiiiff) who was killed on Saturday eveniu? thrmgh jumping to I.lm street from a window in the upper story of a house in Mol'-vorth Shvot. Evidence was givsu by Mrs. Miller, a. sister of deceased who stated that Peddie was a single man, comfortably oil , , aud was shortly to stall for a trip to Japan. Some years ago he hail received a very severe' sunstroke at leildinsj, ami had since suffered from it occasionally.

Dr. Gilmer stated that his impression was that Peddic had suffered from bruin irritation, maybe sunstroke. Dr. Ewart deposed that Peddic had had delusions. He had loss of memory and could not tell where he had come from or where he had been. Thero were no signs of alcohol about tho pitieut, hut witness had been told, that Peddio had had a sunstroke, and very little alcohol might causo brain irritation in such circumstances. It was possible for sunstroke alone to bring about the condition in which he. had seen Pcddie. It was quite probable that a man who had a delusion that he was being chased would do what Pcddie had- done. The result of the fall was a broken neck and a fractured skull, either of which injuries would cause death.

Tho verdict was that Peddic had committed suicide during a fit of temporary insanity.