DEATH AFTER ARREST.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1865, 26 September 1913, Page 3

DEATH AFTER ARREST.

CORONER'S INQUEST. COLLAPSE IN CELLS & AFTER. A policeman's lot is not a happy one, and when he is called upon to distinguish between a drunken man and one in a state of collapso who smells of drink then it is still less happy. This was tho cxperienco of Constablo Lumber, who took a man to the watch-houso believing that he was the worse for drink when, in reality, his prisoner was so ill that ho died at tho Hospital, where ho had been removed, ,on the following day. Tho facts were fully stated at the inquest held yesterday by Dr. M'Artliur (Coroner) concerning the death of William John Mallott (33), of Karori, unemployed, who was arrested on Lambton Quay at 12.45 on Saturday afternoon, remained in the cells until 6.20 on Sunday morning, when ho was removed to tho hospital, and died there on tho following day. Senior Sergeant Mullaney appeared on behalf of the police and Mr. Levi (Messrs. Wilford and Levi) represented tho widow.

The Arrest In Lambton Quay. Constable Lumber stated that at 12.45 on Saturday afternoon he saw deceased lying in a wheelbarrow outside Brice's tea-rooms on Lambton Quay. He asked him what was the matter and deceased replied: "Nothing; I have had one or two too many beers." The man smelt of beer. Lifting him up, witness askod him if he could walk, but he was only, ablo to stand with tho constable's assistance. A cab came over from the rank opposito and in it deceased was, driven to tho police station. Deceased told him that he had been out of employment for some time, and added that it,was not the beer which had upset him, but that it was his wife and four children that ho was worrying about. Ho also said that an old friend of his whom ho .had met in town had been giving him beer. Witness handed him over to tho watch-housekeeper. To Senior Seargeant Mullaney:- Deceased. smelt strongly of liquor. Ho had told deceased that he was arrestins him for drunkenness, with which offenco he was duly charged at the station. ■To Mr. Levi: Deceased spoke sensibly and was very worried about being out of'work. At tlie Police Station. ' Constable Konealv, who was on duty as watch-houselceeper during part of Saturday night, stated that when defeased was brought in ho was suffering from tho effects of drink. He visited him in tho cell and prisoner mado no complaint. Constablo Butters stated that he_ visited deceased in the cells at 4.45 on Sunday morning, and ho then said that he was all right. At 8.45 ho again went to the colls with Inspector Hendry and Constablo Melville, and again deceased seemed all right. Early on Sunday morning lie once more visited tho cell and deceased did not seem to well, though ho again said foeblv that ho was. all right. They sent for tho doctor who arrived at 5 a.m.. After a general inspection tho doctor remarkod that if tho man did not improve in an hour's time he was. to bo taken to .the Hospital. Witness visited him fivo times during tho next hour, and at six o'clock the ambulance was summoned. Constable Molvillo stated that _he went on duty at 4.46 a.m. and visited tho prisoner several times during the uiglit and hp made no complaint wliatovor. The sergeant had told him that tho man did not look too woll and ordered somo tea to bo served him. Deceased at first refused this, stating that ho wanted liquor, but later he drank the toa and remarked that ho felt bettor. To Mr. Levi: When they removed tho prisoner, to tho day cell ho could rot' Walk very well. He seemed dazed. Sergeant Lewin, who corroborated this evidence, added that deceased had mado no complaint during the night. To Mr 3 Levi: Deceased had nothing against him in the police records. Sergeant Henry also gavo corrohoborativo evidence. To Mr. Levi: Deceased was breathing heavily, moaning, and throwing his arms about and witness fully recognised that ho was suffering from something other than drunkenness. The Medical Opinion. Dr. T. C. Fraser, senior house surgeon- at the Hospital, stated that deceased had been admitted to tho institution about seven o'clock on Sunday morning in au unconscious condition. Ho had a bruise over the left side of tho forehead and another oil tho outer side of the. left* knee. Ho did not regain consciousness, but died on tho following day. Tho cause of death was uraemia—a condition following on disease of tho kidneys. To Mr. Levi: So far as ho could seo there were no signs of drink, nor was tiioro anything to suggest that drink was the cause of death. No post-mortem examination had been held. Deceased Was Not Drunh. Mr. Levi, addressing tho Coroner, said that tho widow was very troubled about tho suggestion as to drink, and had given him a list of witnesses who would show that deceased was not addicted to drink. He thought, however, that the Coroner was satisfied from tho eiidenco that deceased was. not drunk. ,Dr. M'Artliur: I am satisfied. Mr. Levi added that he did not say that the police wore to blame, but there was nothing to show that deceased had had too much drink. Tho Coroner, ill summing up, said that the cause of death was uraemia, following on disease of the kidneys. Whilst tho police did everything that they could for the man, there was no hint that he died as the result of drink —tho evidence was all the other way. Ho may have had some drink ,but his death was duo to collapse from his disease, probably accelerated by the worry ol : being out of employment.