INQUEST AT AMBERLEY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1668, 25 June 1879, Page 3

INQUEST AT AMBERLEY.

An inquest on the body of Michael Flynn, who was found dead on Toviotdale run, -was held at Gaynor's Eailvray Hotel on Tuesday morning before Dr. Morris, coroner. Mr Ferrar was chosen foreman of the jury. Constable Wm. Watt deposed—On Sunday evening, about 5 p.m., a man named Thomas Bock gave information] that a man had died in the open air on Teviotdale run. Witnes3 went out on Monday morning, and on arriving at the spot found the man quite dead. He observed no marks of violence, and he had inferred that death must have resulted from exposure to the weather. The spot where the body lay was about six miles from the dray road. When he first found the body it was covered up with blankets and placed under a tent. There seemed to be no regular track where the body was lying, and he was of opinion that he (the deceased) must have been making for the hut. There was snow on the ground, but not upon the body. Thomas Thornton said ho was a ploughman working for deceased, and wa3 residing at Spring Valley, Teviotdale. Deceased, he thought, was about thirty Tears of age. He and deceased left Spring Valley together to go to Astroo farm, Waikari Valley, and arrived at Waikari on Thursday evening. Remaiaed all night, and until noon next day. Witness then went on to Astrop, but the deceased said as the weather was so wild he would at once return to camp, as ho had some business to do in Ohristchurch. Tho next day (Saturday) deceased made no complaint to witness of being unwell, and had no appearance of being so ; but, on tho contrary, appeared to be a man in strong health, and was a total abstainer. The nearest track to tho hut from Waikari would be about thirtoen miles, and by the road about nineteen. Deceased announced his intention of taking the short cut, which would bo over rough country, but rather level land. The route would be by GHenmark. The weather was wet and stormy when ho started, but there was no snow, except on the hills. He started to walk about half-past one or two o'clock p.m. Thomas Book, sworn, said he was a ploughman residing at Spring Valley. Deceased and last witness left camp about ten o'clock on Thursday morning. He expected them home ou Friday night or Saturday morning. It was snowing on Saturday till two o'clock in the afternoon. Started about one o'clock to meet them with the cook, Thomas Palmer. Found deceased some distance from tho hut lying among tho fern. Ho was lying upon the snow apparently trying to riso. It was enowiDg heavily at tho time, All he (witness)

could understand from diseased was something about the horses. He then said—" The Lord have mercy on me." Witness then covered him with his coat, and went to got blankets and a tent, but he was quite dead before witness and his companion could get him properly sheltered. He only lived about ten minutes from the time they returned from the hut till ho expired. They both went back to the hut for the tent and blankets. Thero was about two inches of snow on the ground, but none on the body. It was blowing Tery heavily at the time. Witness was of opinion that some illness must have overtaken deceased, as he waß on the right track for the hut when found, but no man so exposed on such a night could have recovered.

This witness being recalled, stated that the deceased had complained of being unwell a week ago, but the matter was treated as a joke. He was strong and hearty enough when he left for Waikari.

Some of the jury having asked if any medical evidence had been taken, the coroner said he would adjourn the inquiry to allow of a post mortem examination if the jury bo desired. The jury did not think it necessary, feeling convinced that death had resulted from exposure, and returned a verdict accordingly.