AN INQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1932, Page 3

AN INQUEST

A BOY’S DEATH.

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

GREYMOUTH, February 4. As the sequel to the death of Joseph Allan .Woolhouse, aged nine years, which occurred at the Grey River Hospital, on Tuesday, an inquest «us held yesterday, before the Coroner (Mr J. G. L. Hewitt). The proceedings were conducted by Senior-Sergeant Roach.

Lawrence James Costigan, baker, 7 Willis Street, stated that he had identified the body as that of his grandson, Joseph Allan Woolhouse. He was nine years of age, n.nd lived with his widowed mother. On Saturday last, the boy left home about 11.30 a.m., to play. He was in fairly goon health, and his eysight and hearing were good, although he had previously suffered from haemorrhages. Witness saw the boy at the hospital, about half an hour before he died. The hoy did not know what caused his injuries. Dr. Paul Joseph Fogarty, house-sur-geon at the hospital, stated that deceased was admitted at 1 p.m. on Saturday last. He was then deeply unconscious, and was suffering from a depressed fracture of the skull. He underwent an operation on Monday morning. His condition was serious, and he died from haemorrhage and shock. His inquries were such as

. could be caused, if lie were knocked down by a car. He had abrasions on the chest, arms and legs. His condition when admitted was very grave. Witness attended him personally up to the time of the operation. The haemorrhage was due to the hoy’s injuries. Alfred Hales, aged seven, said that he and several otner boys, including Woodlouse, were playing chasing, last Saturday, near the corner of Mawhera Quay and Tainui .Street. One hoy ran I across to the wharf and Woolhouse | ; ran after him. A bus had started to | move, and Woolhouse ran in front of it. He got past the bus, and was struck by a motor-car. Colin Bruce Coulson, labourer, residing at Paroa, stated that, a few I minutes after noon, he was driving a j car along Mawhera Quay, on his cor- [ rect side of the road, in the direction of the railway station, at a speed of 10 to 13 miles per hour. Before reaching the Tainui Street intersection, ho saw a bus coming into Mawhera Quay from Tainui Street, and going towards Boundary Street. He did not see Woolhouse until deceased got right in front of the car. The Senior-Sergeant: Why was that ?

Witness: The street was clear, a few seconds before, and my attention was more on another bus, which had just pulled out and was going towards the railway station. I did not, notice the boy, until he was nearly in