Inquest.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 66, Issue 66, 9 January 1914, Page 3

Inquest.

An inquest on the body of Philip Coleman was held on Wednesday, in the Court-house, Huntly, before the Acting-Coro-ner, Mr E. J. Farrell, J.P. and a jury consisting of Messrs Jas. Elliot (foreman), A. Shand, G, Allan, J. Thompson, H. Hanson, and T. M. Mu n ay. Alex. Glass, farmer, residing at Ohinewai, had seen the body of the deceased which he identified as that of Philip Coleman who worked on the farm of the witness for the past two months. Deceased complained at times of shortness of breath. On Tuesday morning witness and his brother proceeded to work leaving Coleman to do the washing up, after which Coleman was supposed to go to Ohinewai in a boat. Deceased at that time appeared to be in his usual state of health. About 2 pan. witness was informed by Mr McKinnon that Coleman was dead, and his body was lying in a boat. Witness then wired for the police. C deman had no relations in the country and had lived in New Zealand for some six years. Deceased stated that he had a friend, a storekeeper who resided in Tokomara, and by whom Coleman had been employed as clerk. About two days before he overexerted himself and had an attack of hemorrhage. Dr. J. C. Macdiarmid had examined the body of Coleman that morning. The body was well nourished. Rigor mortis had set in and post-morten lividity Weis well marked. Froth was issuing from the month. No marks of violence were visible, while the cervical vertibrae had not been fractured. From what witness knew of the history of the deceased he had no hesitation in stating that death was due to natural causes, and was of opinion that Coleman died of heart failure, probably induced by sudden and violent exertion, such as rowing a boat up the river against a strong current. Whether the hemorrhage spoken of came from the lungs or from one of the larger blood vessels it would be difficult to say, there being no external evidence of such, but from the history given of a previous hemorrhage, such hemorrhage might have been a contributary cause. William Stateman knew deceased for some four months, during which time he worked in the Ohinewai neighbourhood. He saw the body in the boat which he was informed was drifting down the river. Witness at once obtained another boat and pulled to Mr P. Henry’s flax- ! mill whether the boat contain- 1 ing the body had drifted. Pie saw deceased lying dead on 1 the bottom of the boat. Taking : the boat in tow he rowed to the bank, and with the assistance of , Mr Angus McKinnon placed the body in the wool-shed. Afterwards lie communicated with the police. When found the body was quite warm, and there was no sign that blood had issued from the mouth. He considered the deceased to be a very delicate man, and he had complained several times of being ill. Deceased was 22 years of age, 1 ' ad a consumptive appearverdict which was in accordance with the medical evidence, . was to the effect that deceased had succumbed to heart failure induced by the exertion entailed by rowing a boat against a strong current.