CORONER'S INQUEST.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 301, 27 November 1886, Page 2

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An •• enquiry was held on Tuesday 4ast at Armstrong's hotel, Gibbstown, before Frank Bird, Esq., Coroner, and the following jury : F. Harrison, (foreman( Giovanni Marello, James Slowey, Jqhn M'Neil, and Peter J. Armstrong, touching the death of Gotardo Campini. After the jury viewed the body the following evidence was taken: Leon Blanchett: I knew deceased, Gotardo Campini. He was a mate of mine and lived with me. I saw him on Sunday morning about 5 o'clock. I spoke to him and he seemed all right. I did not see him alive afterwards. When I saw him on Sunday about 2 o'clock he was dead. There was a large wound on his throat, caused, I think, by dynamite. I have been living with him about six weeks, and we were always friendly. He was sober when I saw him on Saturday about .4 o'clock. The four bills produced are out partnership accounts. I had arranged to pay all the bills and give him the balance due for wages, amounting to £3 19s 6d, which I have handed over to the police. Earnest Blanchett: I am a miner residing at Alpine Hill. I knew deceased Gotardo Campioi, he was workfor us in our contract. I last saw him alive on Sunday morning about halfpast five o'clock. The next time I saw him was on Sunday afternoon, he was lying on his bed dead. Have known Campini lor about 12 or 16 years. When he had been drinking he was strange in his manner. He has not been drinking to my knowledge during the last fortnight, and has been to work regularly for about six weeks. George Harrison: I am a miner, residing at Alpine Hill. On Sunday morning last I heard a shot between 5 and 6 o'clock. I took no particular notice of the shot. About dinner time I went to Campini's hut, and saw him lying on his bed dead, with a very large wound on the front of his neck. When I saw him on Saturday night

he was sober. Have known deceased for some years, and never observed anything strange in his manner. Bernard James Rodden: I reside on the Alpine road with my parents. I recollect Sunday last, I was delivering milk. I went to Campini's hut with milk. I opened the door, I saw Cainpini'lying on his back in his bed, lie was dead. He had a large wound on his throat. I went away then and Called George Harrison and Thomas Hansen and told them what I had seen. When I saw him it was between 11 and 12 o'clock. Charles Bowden : I am a Mounted Constable of Police, stationed at Lyell. On Sunday last Ernest Blanchett reported to me that Gotardo Campini had shot himself in his hut at Alpine Hill. I at once praceeded to the hut. found Campini lying in his bed, he was dead, and had a very large wound on his throat and neck, which was caused I should think by an explosion of dynamite. He was lying on his back and had his two arms folded across his chest, Under his head I found the piece of fuse and rope produced, and I found an empty pocket book, a rule, a miners right, silver watch and chain. I found no money. I made * enquiries at the Alpine Company's office, and found that the amount of money due to him was £3 19s 6d., which amount I have on hand. Campini was a Swiss Italian, He was about 50 years of age. Have only known him for a few weeks since he has been here. From enquiries made I have reason to believe that he did not meet his death through any foul play. He has no friends that I know of in the colonies. I know of no will or any other property, but what has been produced. The jury retired and brought in the following verdict: "That Gotardo Compini committed suicide while suffering from temporary insanity,'*