INQUEST.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2630, 11 September 1882, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held to-day before J. W. S. Coward, Esq., at the Clarendon Hotel, on the body of Wm. Wilson, the finding of whose body in the Avon has already been reported. Mr John Abbot was chosen foreman of the jury. After viewing the body, the following evidence was taken :

Robert Wilson, brother of deoeasad, deposed that his brother left home on Tuesday morning last with a two-horse dray and a load of potatoes. The potatoes were delivered, and a little boy, belonging to deceased, left with the team.

By the Coroner—The deceased was given to drink. Witness came to town on Wednesday evening to search for his brother, and went to all the publio-housßß where he thought it likely he would be. Witness also reported the matter at the police depot on Saturday. On Sunday morning witness searched in the river, and the result was that he found the body near Lane's mill. When it was taken out witness identified it as that of his brother.

Courtney Wedwill deposed that he was a legally qualified medical praotitioner. He had made a past mortem examination of the body of deceased. There were no external, marks of violence except those whioh had

occurred after death. From the appearance! presented on the post mertem examination he had little doubt that death had resulted from drowning. Dr. Nodwill called attention to the fact that neither towels or • s? were allowed at the morgue, whioh caused great inconvenience to the medioal witnesses engaged in post mortem examination!. The Coroner said he would lee that the matter was reported to the Government. Charles Deal, lioomee of the Botherfield Hotel, depoiod that deceased oame into hie hotel between 7 and 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Deceased wu quite drunk, and witness declined to give him any drink. He then went away, and that was the last witness saw of him alive. The body now at the morgue was that of William Wilson. This concluded the evidence, and the jmy returned d verdict of " Aooidental death." The Coroner said the matter brought under ik> notice of the Court by Dr. Ned will showed the necessity of the establishment of a publio morgue, with inquest room attached. J Great inoonvenienoe was experienced by the jurors and witnesses in consequence of the want of snoh institutions. He had brought the matter under the notice of the City Oounoil and of the Government, but nothing had been done. The present morgue wp» quite insufficient for the requirements of a city like Ohristohurch. Sergeant Pratt said that he had brought the fact under the notice of the City Council that the men belonging to the police force were ill from the offeots of the morgue being so close. Not ing, however, had oome of it. He hoped that hia Worship's remarks would be productive of a change.