INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2390, 30 November 1881, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquiry, touching the death of William Thomas, whose body was found in the river Avon on Monday last, was held at the Clarendon Hotel yesterday afternoon at three o’clock, before Dr. Coward, coroner, and a jury of whom Mr John Buxton was chosen foreman. After viewing the body, the following evidence was adduced. William Jacques deposed that he had known deceased for about six years. His age was forty-five, and he was, he believed, unmarried. Ho was not addicted to drink. He knew of nothing peculiar in his manner. The last time he saw him alive was on Sunday morning, when he remarked that he felt better than he had been. Some years ago he hurt his hands in a flax mill, and he had not followed any occupation for some time. He identified the body in the morgue as that of W. Thomas. To the jury—Deceased had not enjoyed good health for some time. He had been living on the proceeds of the sale of certain property sold at Waltham, and he mentioned last week to witness that be had broken into his last pound. Witness was in treaty with him for the purchase of his property in Sydenham, with the proceeds of which he intended going to England by the Wanganui on Saturday. He believed ha had a brother living in the North Island, and also relatives in London and in Wales. Annie Young deposed that she lived in Montreal street, Sydenham, in the next house to that of deceased, whom she had known for about six years. On Thursday last he complained of internal pains. She last saw him alive about four o’clock on Sunday last. Never saw him intoxicated but once.— Constable P. McGill deposed to tho circumstances attendant on finding the body, which was lying in the River Avon, close to the bank, on the hospital side of tho bridge, over the river in the public gardens. The sum of 12s 6d, in gold and silver, and two pocket books containing some receipts (produced) were found on him.—Dr. Byrnes deposed to having made a post mortem examination of tho body of the man in the police morgue. The brain substance was healthy, but there was such effusion thereon as to bespeak anything but a healthy mind. The chest and abdominal organs were all congested, and the stomach •lightly ulcerated. He attributed the death to drowning. To a juror—The state of tho membranes of the brain showed an unsound mind. The jury returned a verdict of " Found Drowned.”