DEATH IN THE CELLS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3040, 29 March 1917, Page 6

DEATH IN THE CELLS

INQUEST ON JOSEPH GRIFFITHS. An inquest was hold yesterday afternoon by the Coroner, Mr. AY. 6. R.iddell, into the circumstances attending tho death of Joseph Griffiths, a?ed 33, a labourer, who was found dead in the police cells early on Tuesday morning. Inspector -Marsack, heforo proceeding to call evidence,' gave a short history of tho deceased. Griffiths belonged to. the Eleventh Reinforcements, and was turned out' of camp medically unfit. He was eent to tho Waikato Sanatorhim, where he stayed for a time, and then went into hospital at Hamilton. Later he was taken in by a private family, who paid all expenses. It was discovered that he was suffering very seriously from. tuberculosis, and the Health authorities were notified. He was then sent into the Soldiers' Hospital at Newtown, and from thcro ho was sent to another State institution. The Wellington War Relief Association had dono everything poesible'for the man. but his habit's made it a most difficult matter. He was arrested on Monday on a.chargo, of. having insufficient lawful means of support, and died in tho colls as stated. Dr. Fyffc, who' made the post-mor-tem examination, stated that ho found tho deceased had been suffering from tuberculosis, and was emaciated. There were no bruises on tho body. Mr. S. J. Wills, secretary of the Wellington War Relief Association, detailed the assistance given by his association to Griffiths. The association had done all it possibly could. .' After hearing further evidence the Coroner returned a verdict that dentil was duo to chronic phthisis, complicated by alcoholism. Deceased has no relatives in Now Zealand.