INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1829, 2 January 1880, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Library, St. Albans, yesterday, before Dr. Coward, coroner of the district, and a jury, of whom Mr Edmund Green was chosen foreman, on the body of William Richard Hobbs, the circumstances of whose death have already been recorded. The jury having viewed the body at the residence of the parents of the deceased, the following evidence was taken. The person, James Kelso, who was alleged to have struck the blow being present in custody. Mr Neck appeared to watch the case on behalf of Kelso. Charles Ford deposed—l reside at Knightstown. On the 24th December deceased and myself with others were coming through High street, Christchurch, about 11.30 p.m. When we got to the old Post Office, in the Market Place, I heard deceased and Kelso have some words together. Kelso said that he had given deceased a hiding before, and that he would not allow deceased to crow over him. When we got to Victoria Bridge, John Hathaway took deceased on to get him away from the quarrel. When they got to Poole’s corner they stopped and waited till we came up. When wo came up deceased took hold of Kelso by the collar, and told him to come up to the belt and he would take it out of him. Kelso told him he did not want to have a row at all. I was taking to some one of tha persons who were with us, and when I turned round I saw deceased falling on the kerb. John Bennett picked him up and took him oyer to the artesian well aud poured some water over him. Deceased was insensible for five or ten minutes, and then enquired what had happened. Deceased complained of his head and shoulders. We then went up Durham street towards home, taking deceased with us. "When we reached Conference street the deceased sat down and again complained of his head and shoulders. Kelso came up to him and told him he was very sorry for what he had done if he had done wrong and wanted to shake hands with him. Deceased told him to go away. We then went on towards the belt and stopped at the comer of Springfield road and the belt. I then missed the deceased, and did not see him again until Box-ing-day at the Foresters’ fete. It appeared to me that deceased fell on his left shoulder . when he fell at Poole’s comer. I did not see anyone strike deceased nor hoar any blow struck. Kelso, deceased, and myself were in Carl’s Hotel whilst we were in town. Both deceased and Kelso were sober so far as I could see. By a Juror—The deceased seemed to fall with his shoulder on the kerb. Ethelbert Oliver deposed to being in company with deceased, Kelso, and others on Christmas Eve in Christchurch near the old Post-office. This was about 11.30 o’clock. Deceased told Kelso if he did not dry up he would hit him a smack in the mouth. Kelso said he had already fought with deceased and given it to him, and he did not want any more to say to him. He went on to say that deceased had been nagging at him ever since he had beaten him. Deceased wanted Kelso to go on to the Park or the belt with him. [The witness went on to corroborate the evidence of the preceding witness as to the getting deceased away.] At Poole’s corner deceased stopped and got hold of Kelso’s coat. Kelso kept calling out “ Let me alone or I’ll strike you.” Deceased would not let him alone, and Kelso ■truck him in the face. Deceased's head went against the verandah post, and he fell on his back on the pavement. His head did not strike the kerb, because he was lying in the road with his head some distance from the kerb. Kelso did not appear to have any animosity against the deceased, on the contrary he was doing all he could to keep away ftom him and avoid a quarrel. Hathaway also tried to keep deceased away. Some other corroborative evidence was given, as also the testimony of Dr. Irvine, as to the cause of death, and the jury returned A vurdiot of “Death by Misadventure.”