DIED AFTER ARREST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 14

DIED AFTER ARREST.

THE INQUEST. CORONER, HUSBAND, AND THE I POLICE. On Thursday last Sarah Jamieson ttbb arrested on a charge of insobriety, and yesterday morning her case was called on in tho Magistrate's Court. "I ask leave to withdraw that charge," said Sub-In-spector Shcelian. The Court granted the leave, for several hours beforo the assembling of the court eh* had ' passed away. '"• Some of the circumstances were disclosed at on inquest which was held yesterday. Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., conducted the inquiry, and Station-Sergeant Darby represented tho police. Constable Smith, from Mount Cook police station, stated that 071 Thursday he had been called to No. 9 Tui Street, where deceased was said to bo causing a disturbance. 'When he arrived theTo she was found upstairs sitting on a mattress and drinking. Ho proceeded into the next room to interrogate tho boarders, and while he was there deceased wont downstairs and out on to the street. He followed, and as deceased was staggering ho arrested her, She refused to answer when spoken to. Dr. M'Arthur: Was she capable of answering? Witness: Just about—that's all. "When I arrested her," continued Constable Smith, "she was very drunk, ana she had hardly any clothing." Dr. M'Arthur: And yet she was out on the street! Witness: Yes. She had no boots, and her blouso was torn. Witness went on to state that deceased had only recently returned from Pakatoa. Island, and had since been drinking. Sergeant Darby: Did she seem to take any care of herself ? Witness: None whatever. At this stage Mr. James Jamieson, deceased's husband, took exception to the constable's evidence, and some words passed between him and tho coroner. Mrs. Beck, of the Lambton Quay police staff, was called. She stated that, when deceased was first taken to the station, she was quiet, but "thirsty." Witness wished to givo her soup, but she desired water. She gave her tea, but she hid it, and got water. Deceased seemed to havo been drinking very hard. Witness telephoned to the Mount Cook police station for someone to go to UlO house in Tui Street and obtain her clothes, but whoever went to the house could not get them, as they had been sold for drink. Mr. Jamieson: You bo very careful. I am tho husband. Witness: Someone had taken them away. There wero no clothes. The husband: They're there yet. Witness, continuing, said that deceased was craving for water. The husband interrupted again. Dr. M'Arthur: Now, you just b« quiet! I am going to put you right down; straight! AVitness wont on to say that deceased did not ask for a doctor, and did not 6cem to need one. About midnight she found her in a fit, but not a serious one. At ono o'clock she had another fit, and witness mado her a pint of strong' coffee. She seemed to feel better then, and witness thought that she had gone to sleep. Witness did not tee deceased again until 5 a.m. Sho was then dead. The husband: Do you think that making her coffee was better than getting her a' doctor? Witness: Well, I was always told to give her coffee. Tho husband commenced what seemed like an argument. Dr. M'Arthur: She has given you an answer. You must take it. The warning had no effect, and there was a further outbreak. Dr. M'Arthiir: You are getting very particular about your wife now. Why weren't you so before, if I might ask you? "I havo done my best." Jnmieson mado some further referenoo to the clothing incident. Dr. M'Arthur: Mrs. Beck says that they wero not there. Mr. Jamieson: Well,,,thafs a- lie. Dr. M'Arthur: That's quite enough for you, my friend! Mr. Jamieson: Well, I can prove it. Dr. M'Arthur: I suppose you have not been having a birthday to-day? Mr. Jamieson: Well, when I hoar people sitting hero and telling wilful lies Dr. M'Arthur: That's enough. I will put you out presently. Mr. Jamieson: All right, yon can do it. Sergeant Darby: You are going a little too far. Dr. Henry deposed that ho had been culled to deceased's cell shortly before 5 o'clock. He could fay no more as to the cause of death than that deceased had, apparently, died in a fit of some kind. Mr.- Jamieson asked a question as to whether deceased 6hould have had a doctor.

Dr. M'Artlmr framed the question from Mr. Jamieson's rather mixed -words, and then said to him: "I don't know whether

you are stupid, or whether you have been round the town this morning." Mr. Jamieson: Well, I suppose its be-cause-1 have had no education. Respecting the question, Dr. Henry said that not having seen the woman before her death he'could not ansver it. Sergeant Darby started to explain the circumstances of tho death to seo if it would enable Dr. Henry to give en answer. Dr. M'ATthur: Tou have heard Mrs. Beck's evidence. However, I will read it again for you. I don't want mm to go away with a boo in his bonnet. Proceedings had gono a little fujtlier whon Mr. Jamieson remarked: "They r» sitting here telling wilful lies. Dr. M'Artlmr: Who?

Mr. Jamieson: They are. Dr. M'Arthur: Now, now! Mr. Jamieson: Well, I'm done now. He got up, and left the room. A woman who had shared tho cell with deceased, said that everything possible had been done for deceased. Tho verdict, founded on evidence gijon by Dr. Kington Fyffe, was that Mrs. Jamieson had died from fatty degeneration of the heart, which was due to alcohol.