INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2118, 7 December 1880, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquiry into the death of Mr Charles Cavendish Hurrell, late clerk to the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Ashburton, was held at Coker’s Hotel, at 2 p.m., yesterday, before Dr. Coward, coroner, and a jury of whom Mr George Tayler was chosen foreman. The jury having viewed the body the following evidence was taken:—

John B. Coker, deposed—Deceased came to my hotel on Thursday night, having arrived from Ashburton by the express train. To all appearance he was in good health. Did not see much of him during the time he was here. Ho was out a good deal. He was last seen alive at the six o’clock dinner on Saturday last. He then dined at the public table, which he loft for his bedroom at half-past six. He slept from twelve on Friday night till 2 p.m. on Saturday. I was called to his room at half-past twelve on Sunday, when he was dead. He seemed reticent, and had made no complaint. Cross-examined by Sergeant Morioe —He told me on Friday that he had sent in his resignation as clerk to the Bench at Ashburton, assigning as a reason that some people there seemed determined to got him out of it, and therefore he thought it best to resign. He afterwards said it was foolish to resign, and wished he had fought it out. Deceased had stopped at my hotel once or twice previously, but 1 did not know him before that to speak to. Clifford Jameson Edmiston deposed—l have known deceased about twenty months, and understood that he had been Buffering from heart disease for some years. I last saw him alive on Saturday morning, when he seemed all right, and in good spirits, and spoke of returning to Ashburton that evening. He haa held the position of clerk to the Bench at Ashburton about one year and eight months. 1 never knew him to be despondent, but always in good spirits. I returned to tbs hotel at dinner time yesterday, and went to deceased’s bedroom to seeif he was going to get up, but found him in his bed, dead. Witness then gave information to the police. I noticed a bottle on the table, and pointed it out to Mr Coker, who said it contained laudanum. A little was left in it. Deceased mentioned that he had resigned his poet at Ashburton, but wasn’t downhearted about it. He has told me on more than one occasion that ho was suffering from neuralgia and sciatica. I never saw him take anything for it. He was not an intemperate man. Constable M. Leahy deposed—l saw the body of deceased ht about ten minutes past two on Sunday afternoon lying in bed. The right leg was on the floor. There were three little streams of blood flowing from the hollow of the right foot. The left leg was bent. The arms were also bent, and the hands were close to the face. There were no marks on the body, which did not feel quite cold. A bottle was on the dressing table marked laudanum, also a glass (both produced). In his coat pocket was a full bottle of laudanum (produced). There were several effects of deceased, vis., £8 15s 3d, a scarf ring, a shirt, and other articles. Dr. Campbell was sent for, and arrived about twenty minutes after the police. The body was stiff when first seen; it had on a shirt and and an under shirt—nothing else. His other clothes were hanging up in the room. Ko papers were found amongst deceased’s effects. Sergeant H. W. Felton deposed—l have known deceased nearly two years, and last saw him alive at Ashburton railway station, at half-past ten last Thursday morning, when he appeared in good health and quite sober. He mentioned that he had received a telegram from Christchurch, and was going there on business, hut should return in the evening. He sent a telegram on Friday, saying he was detained, also another on Saturday announcing that he should return that day by the last train. Noticed about a month since that he was looking very ill. In reply to a question, he said he had been nearly mad with pain from neuralgia, and the only way he could get sleep was by dosing himself, and it took a lot to send him off. He did not eay of what. About three weeks ago I saw an empty bottle in his possession labelled laudanum. When I asked him if he used it, the reply was—- “ Yob, it is the only stuff that gives me peace.” His time at the B.M. Court ended to-day. He bad resigned the post in consequence qf a report that had been circulated about him, on which a complaint against him had been forwarded to the Minister of Justice. He was given to drinking occasionally. About _ a month since he broke up his home, his wife and son going to Auckland, the reason assigned for which was his reduoed salary. The report about him rather annoyed than angered him. Cross-examined by Sergeant Morioe—His resignation was not compulsory; he did it of hia own free will. He was a proud, high spirited man, that a trifle would not upset. W. P. Townend—On Friday afternoon last I sold deceased a 2oz. bottle of laudanum. When asked for what ha required it, deceased said for outward application to his face for neuralgic pains. Deceased did not sign a book for it. The bottle produced is what ho bought. It was full then; at least lloz. have been need. Hera a conversation ensued between the coroner and the witness as to the New Zealand Act regulating the sale of poison. The Act was produced, in clause 12 of which it is laid down clearly that laudanum should be sold in the presence of a witness and duly signed for by the purchaser. The witness replied that, in common with his brother chemists in Christchurch, the provisions of tho English Act were complied with, which permitted the sale of laudanum in the manner it had been vended by him. The Coroner reminded witness that chemists wore bound by the Colonial Act, and he would advise him to acquaint himself with its provisions, and be guided thereby. George Bonnington deposed—l sold _ deceased a small battle of laudanum on Friday last. The bottle produced is the same. The reason assigned by deceased for its purchase was neuralgic pains, it being for external use. No book was signed. Ido not in all oases call on persons to sign tho book when purchasing poison. I know the New Zealand Act. It was through my neglect that the book was not signed. The deceased was accompanied by a friend, whom I knew. Deceased asked, after purchasing it, what was the maximum dose he could take internally with safety. I replied thirty drops. Deceased put his hand to hie face repeatedly, and said the pain prevented him sleeping. Dr Campbell, being sworn, corroborated the evidence of the police as to the condition of deceased. He had since made a post mortem examination of the body. The valves of the heart were diseased; the rest of the organs were healthy. Tho stomach smelt faintly but distinctly of laudanum. He attributed death to an overdose of laudanum, assisted by the state of the heart. Tho Coroner briefly explained the medical evidence to the jury, and after a little deliberation the jury returned the following verdict—“ That tho deceased met his death from an overdose of laudanum, taken to obtain relief from neuralgic pain, tho jurymen believing be was perfectly sane, and had no intention of destroying himself.”