INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2531, 19 May 1882, Page 4

INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday at 3 p.m., at the Crown Hotel. Montreal street, before J. W. O. Coward, E«q , coroner, and a jury of thirteen, on the,body of James Atkinson. After the usual formalities had been gone through, the fallowing evidence was taken. Jas. Henry Sellars, barman at the Crown Hotel, deposed that he was driving on Sunday, May 14th, with deceased, in a buggy from Christchurch to Eaiapoi. Deceased -was quite sober. They left Christchurch at 240 p.m. On their return they left Eaiapoi at 3.40. On nearing White’s bridge the horse look fright. Witness was driving. The horse turned into Smith’s Courtenay Arms Hotel, just over the bridge, when the buggy jumped over a stone and threw both of its occupants out. Deceased was immediately picked up and carried into the hotel ; he was insensible. In that state, after nearly an hour, deceased was put into the buggy and witness drove him towards home. On arriving at Papanui Church the horse again took fright at the tram-car, the wheels locked, the buggy was capsized, aid both were thrown out. Assistance came, and deceased, •till insensible, was carried into Young’s Hotel. Witness then drove to town for medical assistance.

In reply to a Juror, witness said he thought ho was quite able to manage the horse all along, although he was very fresh. George Jackson deposed that on Sunday last, whilst he was driving from Kaiapoi to Christchurch, the buggy in which deceased was passed him at a gallop. Toey were near to White’s bridge. The driver waa trying to hold the horse in. At the hotel door the trap turned ehort, and the occupants were ■thrown out. Deceased fell out on the right aide. Witness helped to carry him into the hotel. All concerned were sober.

In reply to Ssrgeant Mason, witness said that be did not know why decease! was not kept at the hotel at the bridge. Ho did not hear the landlord offer any objection to his being kept there. Dr. F. Stewart stated that ho had been palled to deceased, who was lying on a sofa at Young’s Papanui Hotel, on the evening of Sunday last. Deceased was breathing heavily, and apparently insensible. Witness attended him at hia own home till his death on the 16th. Witness had since made a post mortem examination of the body, and found that death had resulted from injuries which might have beoa received in an accident auoh as had been described by previous witnesses.

B. Fielding, who had been in the trap driven by Jackson, was also examined, but his evidence was of no importance. A verdict was returned of “Accidental dsath.”