AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1930, Page 5

AN INQUEST

DEATH OF MARV OATES. An inquest was opened at the Police Station yesterday ;■ afternoon tquching the death of Mrs Mary. Oates, a victim of the car smash at the railway crossing in Weld Street tile previous, afternoon.' . ‘

The Coroner, Mr D: J. Evans J.P.., presided arid Sergeant King appeared on behalf of the .police. Allan Hopkins gave evidence that he was a medical practictioner practising at Hokitika. He knew.the deceased, the body of the deceased at the Hospital on Friday. Identified it as that of Mary Oates. Deceased was married, her husband being in Hokitika, at present. Deceased was 72" years'of>fitge. She arrived in New Zealand about 3 weeks ago from Yorkshire, England. Deceased, her husband .ind- daughter are related to Him liy marfia'ge' and had been stayirig iiv liis’ house iii Hamilton Street. He saw the deceased when at Westland Hospital on Friday afternoon. He examined her and found she was very badly shbcßiW, 1 with , slight abrasions to the head. There were, no .other bruisis or bodily injuries. The immediate cause .of death' was shock and concussion. The injuries were consistent with a'person being; violently thrown out of a car p'n to a road. He saw deceased 'i6n the jmormngi "of the ; accident, The. Corotier! then stated that the Railway Department luid requested that the hearing be adjourned to enable a head of; the Department to be present. The inquest was then adjourned tiliilWednesday. next,at 10 a.m, .at •the Magistrate’s' Court. §j ! -