INQUEST ON JAMES REID.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 155, 30 January 1869, Page 5

INQUEST ON JAMES REID.

An inquest, touching, the death of James Reid, was held on Saturday last, at Shaw’s Hotel, Blenheim, before H. Williams, Esq., Coroner, and the following jury:— Messrs. Collie (foreman), Carroll, Wall, Jackson, Lawrence, Horton, Tueramel, John Taylor, Warner, Dempsey, and Miixted.

Henry Mears deposed that deceased came to Blenheim on Sunday week. e had a week’s holiday from his employer, Mr. T. Redwood, of Vernon. He had been drinking hard while here, but eating

nothing', except it was a small quantity of soup. Have known him drink harder than he lias this time I drove him down to Mr. Redwood’s in a trap on Monday lust; lie was then under the influence of drink, hut quite sensible. Took with me a pint bottle of gin, which I gave to the shepherd with instructions to give him as requisite, but not all at once. Had a conversation with him relative to coming to see him shortly. Had known him for 0 years; when I left the station he was 'asleep on a sofa. Thomas Harding and the shepherd were mesenli By the .1 ury : Four years ago ho wished me to get him some poison; he was just coming round alter drinking. Instead of laudnum gave him a glass of brandy. Consider it. was likely he would sutler fiom delirium tremens, having had that comp'aint before. He had no money, as he borrowed some from Kwarl on the Wednesday previous. Was not surprised to hear of his dea h. The hodv is that of

James Reed, Have stopped his drink lots of times, and then he would go out. Thomas Redwood, sheepfarmer, Vernon, deposed that he identified the deceased as James Reed, his cook, who had served from Sept lsih,last year, till early on the mornning of the 1 Olh January, when he left without consulting me. During his holiday in Blenheim I never expressed any objection for a week, hut afterwards requested him to return. He came in company of last witness and John Fyall in a trap on the 18th. Did not see him until next morning, when he appeared weak from the effects of drink. Nothing transpired to cause me to suppose he would he long ere able to resume his work Saw no symptoms of delirium tremens. Ordered the servant girl to give him a glass of gin once in the day, as he much desired it, and said it would restore him quickly. Gave the last glass on the noon of tlie 21 st. He spoke a few words quite sensibly, and I desired him to put water in the grog I gave him ; he replied he would. Saw him no more; had no reason to anticipate that he would take his life. Have known him 5 years, and considered him honest and harmless, although he was occasionally addicted to intemperate habits. He had wages coming to him, having drawn none when he left. Was surprised to hear he ha<l committed suicide. Never knew him drink on duly. Have no reason to believe he came to his death by any other means than his own act.

Filizubeili Houldworth : Am wifeofGeo. Ilouldsworlh, Taylor Road, was visiting at Mr. Redwood’s for a week. Knew deceased for a year and more; saw him first on Wednesday last, when lie came to the house on a message ; he said lie was not very well, and spoke quite to the purpose; he looked altered and wild. On Thursday noon he came up agd saw Mr. Redwood ; never saw him again alive. Hannah Flynn first found the body; I was 20 yards away ; he lay on his right side, with his face to the ground ; blood was sprinkled all about him, some 2 feet from the body. We found him about I‘3o yesterday; should suppose it took place Lite night previous, as the blood was dry. Called and he, finding he was dead, got some wool bales and covered him up. and then left immediately to give information. Relieve he cut Ids throat while under the effect of drink. Seemed to have been silting and then fell over; seemed not to have strolled at all. The place was about J-mile Iroin Vernon house. Lewis Kiel Horne, a duly registered Medical Practitioner resident in Blenheim, deposed that he had examined the body of deceased. There were 4 incised wounds on the right side of neck, 2 on left side, 2 on the left arm, near the bend of the elbow, and one very superficial and very severe wound on the right arm—in all 9 wounds, which, conjointly, are quite sufficient to cause death. The carotid artery, and other important vessels are not divided. Should think, from their position, they hud been inflicted by himself. Knew deceased for 10 years; he was a man of intemperate ''habits There was a very severe gash in the arm, and the number of wounds showed great determination to commit suicide.

By the Coroner: Should not think he was a man to destroy himself in his sober senses’ Was dressed only in shirt and trousers; his sleeves were tucked up. The razor produced was sufficient, and likely to have been used to cause the wounds. The Coroner made some remarks on the case, urging that deceased must have been insane when he did the deed.

Alter some deliberation the jury gave the following verdict:—“That the deceased, James Reid, not being of sound mind Tromthe effects of drink, did, on or about the 21st January, with a certain razor,’ inflict wounds upon his neck and arms by which be bled to death.’’