INQUEST AT THE MACKENZIE COUNTRY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 676, 19 August 1876, Page 4

INQUEST AT THE MACKENZIE COUNTRY.

Yesterday’s Timaru Eerald says;—“ An inquest was held at Fairlie Creek on Tuesday last, before W. B. Howell, Esq, J.P, and a jury on the body of John Mackenzie. The evidence showed that deceased had a few drinks at Wedderill’s, Fairlie Creek Accommodation House, on the 12tb instant, m company with Waddell, Smith, and Davis, ploughing contractors, and Wearing, of the Levels Plains. Davis purchased a bottle of brandy and a bottle of whiskey before starring, which he took away with him. the men went in the direction of Waddell s camp, about three miles away. They al. arrived there together, and at about 3 p m of the same day deceased and Wearing started for the accommodation house, the former being the worse for liquor. After going a little distance, deceased turned to go * back to the camp. Wearing went on to the accommodation house, where he remained all night. Deceased reached the camp, and he and Waddell, Smith, and Davis drank the two bottles of spirits. At 7 p.m. deceased left for his own home on horseback. About 8 p.m. Smith and Davis left the hut to go to their tent, which was close at hand, and before reaching it saw a dark object lying in the snow, which proved to be the body of Mackenzie. They felt his pulse and found that it had ceased to beat. They put the body in the hut, and gave information of the matter on the following morning. On the same morning deceased’s horae was found with the saddle under his belly, and without any bridle or stirrup irons. Constable Boss deposed that there was a cut on the head from two to three inches long, and one and a half deep, the skull being fractured; also, that there was a large quantity of blood at the spot where the body was found. The following verdict was returned ‘ That ■y deceased being drunk, either fell or was thrown off his horse, his feet getting entangled in the stirrup irons, and that the horse kicked him, causing the wound already described, which killed him; it appeared that the whole party were drunk, and did not know what they were doing.’ ’’