INQUESTS AT OTAKT

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 44, 27 January 1880, Page 2

INQUESTS AT OTAKI.

An inquest was hold afcOtaki on the 23rd inst., before Dr Hewson, coroner, on the body of Charles Mudgwny, who was killed on the day previous. The following jury were impannelled — Messrs Ber.nett (foreman), Eager, Bevan, M'Oae, Bills, fear son, Winti-rburn, Johnson, Larsen, Anderson, , M'Donald, and Mackay. Miss Jenkins deposed that after the races she was riding round the course in company with Misses Cameron and M'Donaid, when she observed two wen coining from the opposite direction ; passed the first, but the secona, who was riding at full speed, was unable to guide his horse, and, although she tried to get her horse out of the way, knocked her aside ; and glancing off, struck Miss Cameron's horse full in the counter ; the force of the concussion knocked both horses down : deceased was thrown on his head, while Miss Cameron fell between tho horses ; the crowd then came up. This Was the principal witness, and her evidence was coiroborated by Misses Cameron and M'Douald. George Bell stated that after the accident ho picked up the deceased, who was lying with his head bent under h's body ; deceased never moved nor spoke. The Coroner iuformed the jury that he ha.d made a post-mortem examination, and found that th.):cau3e.of .death was conoufision of the brain. ;. . . , ; ' ' The jury rotiunea" a verdict "of "'Accidental death." The deceased was a native of the district of Wellington. His friends reside at Porirua, and he was generally liked for his quiet, unassuming manners. He leaves five sons. A ball was held on FridilJ night, the proceeds of which — some £7 or £S — are to be handed over for thair benefit. Miss Cameron was insensible for some time, and was severely shaken and bruised about the face. Ou the 24th inst., Dr Hewson, coroner, hold an inquest on the body of Emma Seymour, aged fivo years, the late daughter of Mr Thomas Seymour, of Otaki. A jury was formed of the following gentlemen :— Messrs ""H. Eagar (foreman), Cootos. Harper, Ransfield, Rota, JenkiDS, Bennett, Neera, Knight, Skipworth, Johnson, and Royal. Mrs Ransfield, aunt of the deoeased, deposed that she was driving home from the races in a buggy, in which were also a Maori girl and deceased ; on their way they passed a cai t, the horae in which was jibbing j the deceased was sitting on the end of the seat, and while looking back; the buggy gave a sudden jolt, throwing her out ; she fell on her head ; a man named Dawjon picked her up. The coroner stated that death resulted from fracture of the skull He was almost instantly in attendance, but the child only lived two or three minutes after his arrival. A verdict of " accidental death " was returned.