INQUESTS.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 602, 24 May 1876, Page 3

INQUESTS.

JOHN LONGSTAFF. An inquest was held at the Hospital yesterday afternoon, upon the body of John Longstaff, who met with an accident on Saturday evening, on the Riccarton road, through coining into collision with a horse and dray, while riding on horseback as reported in our issue of Monday last. The jury (of whom Mr Charles Boanington was foreman) having been empannelled, proceeded to view the body, after which the following evidence was taken : Archibald McKendry deposed—l am a carpenter, residing in Christchurch. On Saturday night, between six and seven o'clock, I was riding, in company with the deceased, about a mile above the Riccarton Hotel on the Riccarton road. It was very dark, and I was riding iust behind Longstoff. A man passed us at full gallop just before the collision. Isaw aspringcartcoming towards us. and within a few yards. Isungout, " look out," As I got abreast of the deceased the collision took place between his horse and the horse in the cart. 1 saw a man lying on the ground with his leg broken. I thought it was Longstaff, and struck a match to see. Longstaff's horse was lying on the other side of the road, and he was lying close by it. I asked him if he was hurt, and he said yes, and complained of his chest. After lying a few minutes he got up and mounted the horse I had been riding. He afterwards got into a dray and was subsequently taken to the hospital by the policeman. I had been with Longstaff most of that day. We had been in Tattersall's saleyards selling some horses. We left the Royal Hotsl about f-ix o'clock. He was sober and sensible enough to ride. I Baw him in the hospital on Sunday. He said he did not feel much hurt. I never asked him how the accident arose. I was sober when I left the Royal. I could not aay whether deceased was galloping or trotting. He told me on Sunday that he thought he wa9 trotting. I could not say how fast the cart was coming. Longstaff was on the right tide of the road. William Carson, deposed—Jason Harmer, John Lee, myself, and another man were driving in the spring cart referred to from Lincoln to Christchurch. We were going at the rate of about five miles an hour, and the horse was trotting. I was driving at the lime of the accident, which took place opposite Shand's house, on the Riccarton road. We saw deceased and the first witness coming towards us. They were riding about as faso as they coald go. They were galloping at a terrific pace, and fire was flying from thur horses' heels. We were on the left Side comiDg down, and they were on the right side coming up—the same side as ■we were. Longstaff's horse came in collision with the right hand shaft cf the cart. He was thrown from the horse, which fell on the road. Lee was thrown out of the cart, and had his leg broken in two places. Another man was also thrown out, but not hurt. I spoke to the last witness, who appeared to be sober. I understand driving. We were all sober in the cart. We could see the horses coming two or three chains in front JJus. It was not a very dark night. I do sol think deceased was sober. The Coroner—l don't think it would be fair to judge after an accident of that kindHe could not tell. Witness continued Both men were riding at a furious pace, and they had another horse with them that was not being ridden. I could not see whether it was being driven or led—l think it was in the middle. Jason Harmer gave corroborative evidence, and like the last witness said the horses were coming at a full gallop at the time of the accident. All in the cart were perfectly sober. Mounted Constable Frederick Basbforr), deposed—From instructions I received on

Saturday evening, I went to the Riccarton road. I met a spring cart on the way with four men in it. One of Ihem had his leg broken. I told them to take him on to the hospital. They all appeared perfectly sober. I then went two or three hundred yards past the bush, and there found a horse nearly in the centre of the road, on the right hand side of th 3 road. It appeared to be nearly dead, and I told some men to drag it to one side of the road out of the way. The men told me that the owner of the horse was lying in a dray a few yards up the road. I went and found him there, lying on his face. I called him two or three times and shook him, and we got him out of the dray. He wanted tc go to Webb's, but we got him out of the dray into a sp.-ing cart, and brought him down to the hospital. The other man appeared to be very drunk ; he smelt very strong of drink, and threw up a quantity of beer in the dray. It was not a very dark night, and I could see plainly for fifty yards in front, and horses and carts double that distance. M'Kendry appeared to be perfectly sober. Robert Robinson, house surgeon at the hospital, deposed—The deceased came in on Saturday night about eight o'clock. He was in a state of collapse, and very weak and faint. I did not detect any smell of drink, and he did not appear to have been drinking. There was a slight scalp wound at the back of his head, and he complained of pain in the stomach. He was in a condition of stupor, but I attributed that to the injuries he received. He never rallied, and died yesterday morning. I made a post-mortem examination of the body this morning, and I found a lacerated wound on the left lobe of the liver four inches in length. There was a large quantity of blood and serum in the stomach, and I am of opinion that deceased died from the wound to the liver. After a short deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death." CHABLES MILLS COGLE. An inquest was held on Monday at Luer's Hotel, Oxford, touching the death of Charles Mills Cogle, D. Sladden, Esq, J.P., acting as coroner. A jury was sworn, and Mr Harry Marsh was appointed foreman. After viewing the body, the following evidence was taken, Frederick Luers—Am landlord of the Harewood Arms hotel. Deceased came to my house at half-past 12 on Saturday night, and engaged a bed, and slept all night there. I saw him on Sunday morning at about halfpast 8, when he came down stairs and a6kcd for a razor to shave himself. I lent him one, and he went up stairs again. I did not see him again alive. John Money called me about a quarter to 12 to the water closet. I saw deceased there, dead. His throat was out. The razor I had lent him was lying on the floor. Cross-examined —As soon as I knew of it I sent for assistance, and we had to break the door open as he had locked it. I noticed nothing strange in his appearance. The servant had seen deceased go into the closet and had not seen him return, and I went to his bedroom, and I did not see the razor. I saw some blood in the chamber, but that appeared to have come from his nose bleeding. It occurred to me that he might have done something, as the razor was gone, and he had been so long in the closet. He was perfectly sober when he came on Saturday night, and had no drink then, but had one drink in the morning. I sent for the doctor, but he was not at home. No one could get inside the closet after the door was bolted.

John Money sworn, deposed —Am employed by Mr Luers. I saw deceased yesterday morning about half-past eight going through the passage to Mr Luerß. I did not Bee him again alive. Mr Luers sent me to open the closet door about eleven o'clock to see if anything was the matter. The door was bolted, and I forced it open with a stable fork. I saw the blood first, and then the body of deceased ; he appeared to be dead. I did not see the wound. I came back and told Mr Luera. He was lying on his left side, with his feet drawn up. The razor was lying close to the seat.

Mary Clay deposed—Am servant at Harewood Arms. I saw deceased going towards the closet about tea o'clock yesterday. _ I did not notice anything in his hand. I did not s*e him afterwards. He was alone when I saw him. He was there about half an hour when I told Mrs Luers,

William Fisher Pearson deposed—Am a Btation owner residing at West Byreton. I have seen the body of deceased, and recognise it as that of Charles Cogle. I have known him intimately for thirteen years. I last saw him alive in Christchurch on Friday afternoon last. I was with him on Thursday and Friday, and he was very dull and dejected. He said he was vpry seedy, and I invited him up to the station to recruit himself. This conversation was on Thursday. On the same day he came to Lyttelton, and came to the wharf about 3 p.m. After seeing my father off we went back to Christchurch. Oa walking from the station he remarked to me abruptly, " I wish I was in heaven." He asked me if I would like to be there too. He habitually made remarks of that nature when dull. I never saw him so low spirited before. 1 saw deceased yesterday dead in the closet, about 12.30. He was lying on his left side, with his back towards the door. I then recognised him. I last saw him alive on Friday afternoon, and arranged with him to come up to Oxford. He told me he had been ill. During the time I was with him he only took one glass of brandy. lam not aware of any misfortunes in business he haß had lately. He occasionally drank heavily, but a very little made him ill and low spirited. I never noticed that drink affected his senses. I have heard him talking to himself at times. He has followed no employment for a considerable time. 1 know he was not embarrassed for want of money, rather the reverse. I cannot assign any reason for the act he has committed.

Henry Sedcole, deposed—l was called about a quarter to twelve yesterday by Mr Luera to go with him to where the body of. the deceased lay ; he was lying in the closet dead. I felt his face, it was cold. There was a large gash across his throat. I have no doubt but that the set was done by his own hand. The razor was lying open near his hand. Constable Wearn sworn, corroborated the above evidence, and further stated that he searched the body this morning, and found £2 03 9d on his person and two keys. All the clothes he had on were shirt, trousers, and boots. I afterwards searched his room and fonnd a bundle of papers, none of which had any reference to his intention of committing suicide. I noticed blood in the chamber utensil, and two spots of blood on i the pillow and some hair, looking as if it had been pulled out by himself in a fit.

There was a handkerchief which appeared to have been washed out lying on the washstand. W. F.-Pearson recalled—l have heard the evidence given ; have seen the blood in the chamber. Deceased was subject to bleeding at the nose, aod that I believe to be the cause of the blood and also the washed handkerchief. I have known him wash his handkerchief in similar casea.

The jury returned a verdict —" That the deceased, Charles Mills Cogle, committed suicide during a fit of temporary insanity."