CORONER'S INQUEST.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 957, 2 March 1871, Page 2

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday at 3.30 p.m., at the Masonic Hotel, before T. Hitchings, Esq., Coroner, and a jury, (Mr Cowing, foreman), on the body of Henry Birch, then lying dead at the house of Mrs Ash well, Emersan-atreet. The jury having been duly sworn, and having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken *- Hannah Ashwell, sworn, deposed : I knew the deceased, Henry Birch, very well. He has lodged with me when in town. He came + o town about a month, since, and has lodged with me over since. He had been drinking when he came ta ray house, and has not been sober since. He stayed at home most of the time. He used to have brandy sent to him, and could not be kept from, |t. He has not been able to eat for two days,; previously his appetite was good. The last time he went out was on Monday morning last 3 he absent about an hour. He usually slept in a hack bedroom ; but last night he would not leave, the sofa in the sitting-room. He had drunk more than usual during the day. He kept the brandy in a stone jar, containing two gallons, and used to help himself. I tried to persuade him to go to bed, buthe was too drunk to .go. there, and I could not help him tp it. He wanted me to sit beside him, which I did. I remained with him all night, and until he died. There was no one in the house but himself nnd I. He slept very little, all night. He talked occasionally in the night. He said he felt very bad. I did not feel alarmed, thinking it was only the During the night he kept asking for drin,k, and I gave him a little, about a wine-glass-ful, with water, in a tumbler. He drank it off at once every time. I only gave it to him when he asked, perhaps once in each quarter of an hour. I had staid up all night with him, on previous occasions. When he occupied his own bedroom, he always had a bottle of brandy under his pillow, and used to drink trom it during the night. About an hour before bis death he went to sleep, and breathed very quietly. I saw no change after that, but when I tried to move him, to arrange his pillow, X found he was dead. I called Mr Morley in. Deceased did not take anything to eat, nor any medicine, during the night. He could nof have taken anything of a poisonous uaiure during the night 3 he had nothing but what. 1 ga v e him. For the last week he has had very few visitors 3 the last one was Mr Bradshaw, who has since been locked up. I believe the deceased used to get money from home; he had not a shilling when he came to me. By the Jury: I refused Bradshaw admittance about a fortnight since, as on previous occasions he had only sat and drank with him, I never refused the deceased drink 3 I was obliged to give it to him. George F. Morley, sworn, deposed : I am a storekeeper, residing in Emerson street, t have known deceased this last month. lam a neighbor of Mrs Ashwell, at whose house he has been lodging. I have been in and out of the house occasionally during the last fortnight. He has generally been at home. He has generally been in a state of liquor, very shaky, but could walk with a stick in the mornings. When J went out I used to assist him in walking. I saw him yesterday, in the morning and, in the evening. On the latter occasion I went into the sitting-room. He seemed to be dozing, and Mrs Ashwell told me not to disturb him. I did nob do so. but left. I next saw him this morning, about 10 o’clock, he was then in the position in which be now lies. T shook hands with him, and said “ How are you, Harry.” He only said “ Hallo, old boy.” His voice seemed weaker than usual. I was not more than five painules with him. I asked him if he would have a little drop of brandy and water. I do not know whether he aiiswered me or not, but I poured out a little and gave him a mouthful. I got i,t out of a Hennessy bottle in the kitchen. I left the room and got some firewood and lit Mrs Ashwell’s fire to make her a cup of tea. About an hour afterwards Mrs Ash well told me he was dead. I knew he had bi-andy in the house 3 I had drunk glasses v'ith biny. myself. He kept pale brandy in bulk

in a stone jar, from which he used to pour it into an ordinary bottle. I had poured some of the liquor out of the jar iiiyself, and knew it was running low. The last time I had brandy with him •was on Sunday. I thought this morning he was perhaps out of liquor and required a stimulant, which caused me to get the bottle. He has asked me to get laudanum to put into his brandy to make him sleep. I did not get it for him, nor do I believe he got it himself. J never saw laudanum in his possession. 1 think he might perhaps drink a bottle of neat brandy in the twenty-four hours. On Sunday I was with deceased for two or three hours after 2 p.m. 1 had port wine and sherry; deceased drank brandy-and-water. He might have drunk a glass of sherry. I had one drink of brandy. He may have had three glasses. I was again there during the Sunday evening at about 7or 8 o'clock. T was there till about 9 p.m. I don't think it was later, as I afterwards went to Britten's. I can't say how much I drank. Mrs Ashwell was present with us. "We were all drinking. "We all had more than was good for us. Ido not suppose deceased had more than three drinks during the time. 1 believe I confined myself to wine on Sunday night, but do not distinctly remember. I'had procured the wine—a gallon of port and a gallon of sherry—at Newton, Irvine & Co.'s store, on Saturday. .Deceased called at my house on Monday morning; he came by himself. I •was at the time in bed, but got up and went down to him. I took him back to Mrs Ash well's. I had no drink then. He went into the front room to have his breakfast. I never told any <one that we were all drunk at Mrs Ashwell's on Sunday night. By the Jury: I do not know whether Mr Birch ha 4 made any will,. George Jjjdmund IDee, sworn, deposed : lam a solicitor, residing in Napier. I saw Birch at my office between 10 am. and 12 on Saturday last. He came on business. J had not seen him for thirteen days, and noticed an improvement in his general appearance and gait. He talked about dying; I told him he would last another six months if he took care of himself; he said he would not; he was going too fast. He spoke rationally, and as I jdid not agree with some of hjs ideas, he left, raying he would go to some other solicitor. My impression is that he had been abstaining for a time, and that it would require a spree or fit of .drunkenness to parry Jbim off so suddenly.

Verdict: "Died from excessive drink-

ing."