CORONER’S INQUEST.

Evening Star, Issue 3135, 7 March 1873, Page 2

CORONER’S INQUEST.

An inquest touching the cause which led to the death of Alexander Steele, was held at the Hospital, this afternoon, before Mr Hocken, District Coroner and a jury. The Coroner, in opening the proceedings, said that from evidence already taken it was pretty clear that there was little or no blame attaching to anyone in the matter, but it was only right that the affair should be enquired into and set at rest. The following evidence was taken : Louis J. Weidner, clerk to the Mayor’s Court, produced the deposition of the deceased, as published in the Star of the 3rd instant. George Patou, commonly known as “ P'ick,” said: On Friday, 28th of February, M‘Donald and witness were “ larking ” in the Provincial stables. He said to M‘Donald “ Let me go ; wrestle, if you like, with Sandy” (meaning the deceased ) He then sat down, and M‘Donald and Steele closed and wrestled. M‘Donald fell ; his head at the time coming in contact with a spring cart. A minute or two afterwards he again saw them wrestling, but the spring cart was between them. He saw them fall, but not clearly. He thought afterwards that Steele fell first, and the other on top of him. A minute or two after, Steele came over to witness, and said he was very much hurt He and M‘Donald then went away, leaving deceased sitting on the steps. Deceased, as they moved away, became sick. He did not see anything more ot Steele that evening. On the following morning, however, he saw him lying on some hags in the stable, wenl to him, and asked him it he could tjk> any*

thing for him. He got him some gin, which he could nit drink. He then called Mr Sibbald’s barman, and with his assistance took him to the hospital in a spring cart. During the journey Steele complained much of violent pains in his belly, before putting Steele i'do the spring cart deceased said that during the night he dul not pass water but passed a quantity of blood. Cross-examined • During the wrest'iug there was no angry feeling shown by cither party. It seemed to be more a bit of fun than anything else. Neither parly was quite sober at the time. The jury, after a few minutes deliberation, returned the following verdict “ That the deceased met his death accidently, casually, and by misfortune while wrestling with Win. M Donald in the Provincial stables, on the 2Sth ult.”