WILLIAM WEBSTER’S SAD END.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 911, 9 June 1903, Page 4

WILLIAM WEBSTER’S SAD END.

CORONER’S INQUEST

The funeral of the late William Webster took place yesterday afternoon, and the high opinion in which deceased was held was shown by the large number of people who paid their tribute oi' respect to his memory. Though both freezing works were in full swing a large number oi those who had been fellow-workmen oi Air Webster, or had known him in other ways, followed the remains to the cemeterv. The Rev. W. Welsh conducted tiie burial service, the pall bearers being those who had known deceased in his happier days. An inquest, concerning the death was held at the Hospital yesterday morning, before. Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., and the following fury : Messrs 1' C. Lawless (foreman), A. Skillieo’rn, E. Fisher, .J. llamou, 11. Worth, and •!. O’Dowd. Sergeant Siddeils represented the police. The evidence bore out llie. report, given in the Times. '1 he first, witness called was Mr Hugh Hamilton, who deposed that Webster had been drinking heavily lately, and on Tuesday last, witness caused a prohibition order to he taken out against him. After the order was issued, witness asked Webster to come and stay at bis bouse, which he did. Deceased did not go into town, and remained at witness’s place until Friday, when he appeared to he in good spirits. In the morning lie did some washing and appeared all right that day. Mr James Hyde lived in the same house. Mr Hyde and witness retired to bed at eight o’clock that

night,. Deceased slept in a room ad joining the kitchen, and retired at the same time as the others. Witness was awakened at, about twenty minutes to eleven by a gurgling sound. He got up and called to deceased. Getting no answer he lighted a lamp, and then saw deceased, with blood (lowing, apparently from his mouth. Witness called to llyde to go for a doctor, which he did. Witness then saw a while-Jiaudlcd razor in deceased’s hand, which witness took from him, and then saw a

great cut across his throat. Dr Morrison arrived about half an hour afterwards. .Some time later (he police arrived, and removed the sufferer to the Hospital. The razor was kept on a little shelf just over Ihe foot of deceased’s bed. From 1 he behavior of deceased, witness had not thought there was any danger in having tlie razor in the room. James Hyde, contractor, of Whataupoko, stated that on Friday last he was living with the previous witness, ami the deceased was also there Witness saw deceased before he retired to bed. He then appeared to

be very happy and contented. They all retired at about the same time. During the night witness was awakened by a noise, and went outside. 'Phc noise having ceased lie returned to bed. A few minutes after that, Mr Hamilton got up, and witness hoard him say, “ What’s up, Bill.” Hamilton struck a light, and came to witness and said that Webster was all covered with blood. Hamilton told witness to go for a doctor and he did so. Before going he had a look at Webster ; the blood appeared to he rushing from his mouth, and witness told the doctor so. On returning witness found that deceased had cut his throat. By the foreman : Deceased was a man who was in the habit of shaving.

In liis evidence, Sergeant. Siddclls said that, deceased was a quiet man, but a heavy drinker. lie had locked him up on February 21st, for his own protection ; lie was then suffering from the effects of drink. On the following day lie cut his throat, with' the handle of an iron mug. Deceased became very had, and his mind was affected. On the 27th of the same month he was committed to the Auckland Lunatic. Asylum. On the 21th of last, month deceased returned to Gisborne, having been discharged from the asylum. On arrival in Gisborne he commenced to drink again. lie appeared to be rational, and seemed lo have completely recovered his reason. A prohibition order was taken out, against him by Mr Hamilton. On Saturday morning last, at. one o'clock, witness received word that Webster had cut his throat, tie at once obtained a vehicle and proceeded to Hamilton's residence. On arrival, he found the deceased lying on the floor near the fire, on a mattress, covered up, with a large wound across his throat . The wind-pipe was severed. Witness was banded the razor (produced) by Hamilton. Detective Nixon and witness immediately removed the sufferer to the Haspital, where he was at. once at tended to liv Dr Morrison and the Matron Miss Stewart. He. was very weak, and gradually sank, dying during the day. The Coroner said Unit this was another case of an unfortunate viilim through drink. Deceased had been committed to the Asylum owing to drink, and when he was liberated lie commenced drinking again. It was a most miserable ending. He had no evidence before him as to who supplied him with drink after his return to Gisborne, but who ever did so was in a great measure responsible for the man’s death. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict “ that, tile deceased William David Webster committed suicide by cutting his throat whilst he was of unsound mind.”