THE OTGROHANGA FATALITY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 458, 20 April 1912, Page 3

THE OTGROHANGA FATALITY.

INQUEST AGAIN ADJOURNED

Own Correspondent

The adjourned inquest concerning the death of John Farrel!, who was found dead in Mr Solomon's yard on a previous Sunday morning, was held on Monday last, before the coroner, Mr Teasdale, and a jury of four. Constable Drummond conducted the case for the police and Mr G. P. Finlay appeared on behalf of the owner of the property on which deceased was found. W. Bowlin stated that "on the evening of April 6th, he weni to Solomon's shop about 9 p.m. There were lights burning m the shop, but the front door was closed so that he could not open it. He knocked and Solomon's son, George, opened the door and let him in. He went to pay Solomon some money he had borrowed. He found Solomon in the barber's room at the back of the shop and told him he had come to pay back t money. He then found that Solo n;>!i was drunk, and after struggling to a sitting position he became sick and fell back again. He did not see any sign of the deceased Farrell. &The only back door to the place was closed. Was in the place about five minutes and did not have a drink while there To the Coroner: Saw Farrell about four o'clock on the station paltform. He was carrying a parcel labelled liquor. To Mr Finlay: Had known Farrell for nine years, and had met him frequently during the last three months. Considered he drank too much for the good of his health. Hugh Meynell said he went to Solomon's shop to get a shave about 5.30 p.m., and saw Farrell lying back in the barber's chair and thought he was asleep. Larsen and Solomon were also there. Larsen gave him a drink of whiskey out of a bottle. When he found they were all more or less drunk witness lett the shop. He left Farrell apparently asleep in the chair and ddi not see him again.

Fred Mace stated he went to Solomon's store about 5 p.m. to get some proivsions. Farrell, Larsen and Solomon were all drinking in the barber's room. Farrell asked him to have a drink. Larsen said, "Don't take that; it is Roman Catholic whiskey. Have one of mine; it is Presbyterian." Witness took the Roman Catholic, and said he would come backlater. He then went to the post office, and went back to Solomon's, and had a drink out of Larsen's bottle. Farrell and Larsen were having an argument about their farms, as to which was the better. After having a "Presbyterian" witness left, and returned 3gain between 5.30 and (5 o'clock. Farrell was then asleep in the barber's chair. Larsen tried to waken him up to have another drink, but he did not waken. Witness had another drink and left. To Constable Drummond: Witness left for hom-j, finally between 6 and 6.30 p.m. Larsen and Solomon were drunk. He saw the boy in the shop.

R. Rhodes stared he went to Solomon's about 6 o'clock to get a hair cut. Saw Larsen and Farrell in the room. Solomon staggered in from another room, and when witness saw the condition they were in he wanted to leave, but Larsen and Farrell both insisted upon him having a drink with them, which he did, and then left. Farrell was drunk but very talkative. Larsen was partly drunk, and Solomon could hardly stand. To Constable Drummond : —Did not see the boy George in the shop. Farrell was sitting in the barber's chair. Larsen said he believed Farrell was a Jew. Farrell did not reply. To a juryman: Solomon was too drunk to be able to shift a dead man out of his shop. To Mr Finlay; Saw Farrel! take two drinks each half a large glass of neat whiskey.

George Solomon, ten years old, stated he saw Farrell asleep in the barber's chair before tea. Larsen and his father came into the house to have tea together. After tea witness went from the house and through the back door of the shop, but did not see Farrell anywhere, and did not know where he had gone. Later in the evening saw his father drunk in the back room. He shut up the shop. He saw Farrell lying in the yard close to the back door on Sunday morning. In reply to questions by the police he replied frequently that he did not know or could not remember. Constable Drummond then said that a witness whose evidence was important had gone away inland, and he asked for a summons to get him in, and applied for an adjournment. After consulting with the jury the coroner granted an adjournment until 4 p.m. to-day (Saturday).