INQUEST AT LYTTELTON GAOL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1231, 13 February 1878, Page 3

INQUEST AT LYTTELTON GAOL.

An inquest was held yesterday at the Gaol, Lyttelton, before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., coroner, on the body of Patrick Gallagher. Mr J. S. Willcox was chosen foreman of the jury. S. C. Phillips, chief gaoler, deposed—He produced tho warrant of deceased's committal to Lyttelton Gaol, on the 16th October last. When admitted deceased was a cripple, and appeared much diseased. He had been located by himself, and had been under the medicul officer's care from dato of reception. He died on Sunday. He bad been committed to prison for six months' hard labor, and was therefore a crimin«l prisoner. He had been attended by fellow prisoners under supervision of an officer. He stated his age to be fifty. Dr Donald deposed that at the time of Gallagher's reception in gaol he was in a very feeble state and covered with a leprous disease from head to heel, and in such a foul condition he could not be placed in a room with any other prisoners. Under medical treatment his skin disease was cured. A few days back witness was called to see prisoner. He found he whs suffering from pulmonary congestion. Deceased died yesterday. He thought that if the man had not been in gaol he would not have lived so losg. Deceased spoke well of tho treatment he had received. Tho evidence of two prisoners who had been in attendance on deceased, and deposed to his general contentment with his treaf- | nient having been taken, the jury returned P verdict of '* Death from natural causes,"