DEATH IN A LOCK-UP.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 July 1910, Page 3

DEATH IN A LOCK-UP.

UICSI'LT Ol< AX AIX'IDJ'LNT,

[PfiK PItESS ASSOCIATION.]

N'AI'JKU, This Day. The circuinst«ince.s surrounding the dwith of Alexander Drysdalo -Miitheson, aged ol years, who (lied at the .Napier Hospital on Thursday, were inquired into ye.sterd.ay by -Vfi .MiCanthy, coroner, and a jury'. The deceased, (whoso name was previously known a.s .Maddi.son) ,vas a si n •>;!<> man <Miil a ship's carpenter. He was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and his mother live.s at Konini. fie had been in Xanier for the past two months, .antl during that period worked off and on as ;\ whail labourer. He was given to drink, lie resisted when being removed from the police .station to the, cells on a charge of drunkenness. There was no room in'tlie narrow nassage for two constables to handle him. ('datable Richard Ryan had charge of Matiheson, and they IVII together. Mathwoii's .spine being injured. When Afathesoii wa.s questioned at tlie hospital by Tnsnector Dwyer ho 'aid he remembered the constable

pressing his head forward and pressing on it. lie could not .siVn his statement as his hands ivi»ro i'T>;ir.n----1 v.sod.

Constable T?van deposed that at the doer leading to' tho lock-up Ma.the-sou raised his arms, apparentl.v (<) catch the top of the door and then slipped from the top .stop, which was wet from rain.

The jiirv returned a verdict of accidental death, and licld Constable !!van_ blameless. They added a. ridetint in their oninion the ivl'-rc tin. accident took placo, shouM !);• wifliMicd. cr ■•motli."! , doorivnv proviili"] li-ndino; from the to tho col!*.