INQUEST ON THE LATE THOMAS WRIGHT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 July 1901, Page 2

INQUEST ON THE LATE THOMAS WRIGHT.

An inquest was held at the Hospital yesterday before Coroner Urquhart, touching the death of Thomas Wright. The following evidence was taken : James Corcoran, sworn, said that he was up at 5 15 on Monday nurning ; and as he went to his front gate he saw the deceased. Asked him what lie was doing there. He replied : " Oh ! its all right." He said he lived at Cobdeu. Witness told him to go homo and deceased replied: " I'll go home now." Left him there to go to the stables. Returned homo about 7 a.m. Deceased was there sitting down on a stump alongside the fence. Asked him if he had been out all night and he

replied : " Yes, been out in all the rain." Gave him a cup of tea. Deceased complained of being cold. Did not take him inside. Went to Holder's to work and left him there.

James Thornton said that he knew deceased for seven months. He lived at his place, Hamilton's Hotel, Cobden, up to Saturday, June 24th. He settled an account with witness for £B4 for cash lent and board and lodging. Lent him about £l2. Witness did not know how much his wife had lent deceased, Charged 25/- per week for board. The balance was for drinks. Deceased was very often the worse for liquor. He was always able to take care of himself. Last saw him on Saturday. After deceased left witness's place on 21tn June hs did not return again. Gave him credit l on strength of money coming from Home.

By the Foreman —Never kept any regular account as deceased was expecting the money from home every week. The bill would be £35 for seven months' board, Would have lent him anything on the strength of the money come. Did not ask him to return.

Charles F. A. Broad said that he knew the deceased for six or eight years. Drafts for money came to his care. On June 22nd £lßl 3s 2d came for deceased from Belfast, Ireland. Paid it into his credit, and there was to pay to Mr Thornton £B4; Mr Kitchingham, £3O; Mrs O'Brien £2O; and he drew cheques in his own favor amounting to £l4, leaving a balance in his favor of £3l Is 2d. Told deceased that he would have to place the money to his account because he received a draft last December for £193, which he took away in cash and he was supposed to have lost the greater portion. Tried to reason with deceased on different occasions, but found it was useless.

George B. Murfitfc said that lie last saw deceased on Saturday night about 11 o'clock at the Club Hotel. Wanted to take hiin home to Cobden, but found him too milch trouble to take home, and took him to O'Brien's Hotel. Deceased was obstinate, but weak. Don't think he was sober. It took him all his time to walk.

By the Foreman —Witness knew him since November, but had not seen him drunk.

John O'Brien, licensee of the Caledonian Hotel, Greymouth, said deceased was brought to his Hotel on Saturday night by Mr Murfitt and another man. Could not say if he was drunk or stupid. Thought he was the worse of liquor and put him to bed. Saw him on the following morning between 9 and 10 o'clock. He bad no breakfast and refused to take food. Took him a whisky. He did not pay for it and did not ask for it. He leff the Hotel after dinner without taking food or any more drink. Witness's wife said that deceased did not look well and so he followed him out and desired him to return, but deceased said that he was quite able to look after himself That was the last witness saw of him. Knew he was addicted to drink. Deceased owed witness about £3 for board and cash lent.

Evidence was given by Henry Griffiths and Mary Corcoran similar to the above. Alfred E. Fanthorpe said that at nine o'clock on Monday morning he was informed that there was a man in Cowper street either drunk or sick. Went up and found deceased in Corcoran's garden. Spoke to him and asked him what he was doing there, He did not seem to be able to speak. He muttered something, but witness could not understand him. Witness thought ho was in the delirium tremens or sick. Witness tried to get him down the street, but only got him 20 yards by half carrying him when he collapsed. Propped him up and went to Perotti's private house and rang up for a conveyance. Then went to Dr Morice's, but did not find him. Meanwhile the van arrived and witness took him to the doctor who ordered his removal to the hospital. •He was very cold and wet through.

Charles L. Moriee said he saw deceased in the van and ordered his removal to the hospital. He was then in a cold collapsed state, unable to speak. He remained in that state for some time and died. Witness made a post mortem on Tuesday and found the body well nourished with no external marks of violence except two small bruises on the knee. All the organs were healthy. The stomach and intestines were quite empty, showing that he had had no nourishment for some days. Witness attributed death to exposure, cold and wet, and want of nourishment. If deceased had been drinking, one night's exposure in bad weather would be sufficient to cause death.

The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict that deceased died oi exposure.