INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2121, 10 December 1880, Page 2

INQUEST.

SECOND EDITION

An inquest was held at the Clarendon Hotel »t 2 p.m. to-day, before Dr. Coward, coroner of the district, and a jury, of whom Charles Deal was chosen foreman, touching tho death of James Parker, whose death in tho police cells has been already reported. After the jury had returned from viewing the body at the morgue, the following evidence web adduced. James Wood deposed—Had only seen deceased about six times prior to his culling at my house last Sunday afternoon. I lire in Tuam street, near the Scotch Stores. He sought board and lodging, and said be would return next morning. He came, had bis meals in the house during the day. He did not stay that night. He oame again on Tuesday morning. Stayed all Tuesday night and left on Wednesday morning, since which time I have not seen him till now. I reoognize the body in the morgue as that of James Parker. Cross-examined by Foreman—The man did not pay as he went on. He wished to stay with me as a Lancashire man. Ho left his portmanteau. Cross-examined by Sergeant Morice—All the time he was with me he was, more or less, under the influence of liquor. Samuel _ Dowdall deposed—Have known deceased since March last. He has not been a steady man. Am not aware he suffered from any illneas. He worked as a wood carver at Mr Smith's, in Tuam street. Cross-examined by Sergeant Morice—Saw deceased at 3.20 yesterday afternoon in Lichfield street. He was walking by himself. He looked all right, but avoided me, as was his practice when in that state. Frederick Horseman—Deceased has lived with me for the past two months, up till Sunday last. He went on the drink occasionally—when he drank heavily. He went on the spree two days every week. Cross-examined by Sergeant Morice—He was very drunk on Sunday, and left on account of his intern pei a'.o habits. I saw him on Tuesday last. He was often on the drink when living with me. He came oui with me_ in Maroh last in the Waimate. I believe James Parker is his correct name. He was at my house on Monday night last. My wife saw him, but I did not. Thomas Kerr deposed—l am a licensed cabman. I saw the body of deceased at the morgue. I last saw him alive at the corner of High street and Cashel street between 3.30 and 4 o'clock, near Lewis's fruit shop. I watched him staggering from King's furniture shop as though he was drunk. He was within three yards of me at one time. He walked on without speaking. Matthew Geo Iyer was examined, aad gave evidence oorroborative of that of the laet witness, stating further that he took deceased to the police depot in his licensed cab, under orders from the arresting conataMe. Deceased did not seem ill, only drunk. No force was used in arresting him. Constable R. Allen deposed—l was on duty yesterday afternoon in High street* and saw deceased about ten minutes to four. He was walking past the cab stand near the White Hart. He seemed very drunk. He not in a fit state to take care of himself. He was alone, with no one to help him, consequently I arrested him and put him in Goodyer's cab, and thenoo to the lock-up. He said nothing when arrested, and was pluoed in a padded cell at the Police Depot. He smelt strongly of spirits. I have arrested him twice previously this year on similar charges. Ho never complained of being subject to fits or sudden illness. Ho did not look ill, only drunk. Sergeant Morice deposed—l am the sergeant in charge of the police station at Christ*

churoh. At 3.55 on Thursday afternoon, deceased was brought to the police station by i/onstable Allen a cab. I went into the yard and saw deceased standing in the front of the-watch-house with the constable, who wa» keeping him from falling. I asked what ho was arrested for. The answer was—Drunk and disorderly, that being the usual term used.

Sergeant Morice further deposed to being called when the deceased was lying apparently dead. He went to several doctors who wers out, eventually getting the coroner, but theman was quite dead. Other witnesses were the-lock-up keeper, and Dr. Symes, who made the-post-mortem, the immediate cause of death being rupture of the aortic valves, the wholeof the inside being very diseased. The jury returned a verdict that " Death resulted from natural causes."