INQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 276, 2 July 1889, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held this morning at the ~ Court-house on the death of Joseph Lawson, ' before E. S, Thynne, Esq,, Coroner, and a jury of six. The following composed the jury— B, Spelman (foreman), *J. T. McAlister, D. M'Kenzie, W. Hunter, W, Liddell, and J. Liddell. Charles Johnson, Being- sworn, said that.:. I am a cook. I have' been living with Jos2ph Lawson for the 1 last week and a half. I have known him for the last eight* ' - een years. I last saw him alive about bix o'clock on last Sunday evening, the 80th June. I went out at that time. He asked me to be sure to come back. . He was Very . ill. He had a difficulty in clearing his throat. He would not see a doctor. He. only took rum for physic. On Saturday I bought him three shillings worth of rum. It was all gone before he died. He was very nearly seventy-eight years old. He was born in London. His wife is dead. He had a large family and some of his sons are still alive. He had an annuity of iourty pounds per year from the Government. The house and land where he lived was his own. He made no will. I have no interest in his death. On Sunday night I went straight home, and I slept in the same bed as the deceased. I did not notice he was dead when I went to bed. It was; ; close on four o'clock on Sunday morning when I found ho was dead. The body had not moved. I then went and told the constable. Frank Buck, living in Wellington, married one of the deceased's daughters. By the Jury — There is no mortgage on the deceased's property. I could not say ■ when he received his last amount. I found the money for the rum. : Arthur Millwood, being sworn, said— l am a painter living in Foxton. I went ■ into the deceased's, Joseph Lawson's house on Sunday, about six in the evening and I found Lawson lying on the floor in the living room, very drunk, and had been . vomiting. Charles Johnson, the last witness, called me and Valentine Harris into* the house. Harris and myself put him., into his bunk. He appeared to be breath; ing all right. I saw no liquor. ; ' - By the Jury — So far as I could see, the deceased wa« drunk or in a fit. I should not say he was in a fit, but drunk. Valentine Harris, being sworn, said— l am a cook, living at Foxton. I went into the deceased's home on Sunday evening with Millwood. I found the deceased laying 'on his left side on the floor in a • drunken state. The last witness and myself lifted him into the bunk. Charles Johnson was present, he was slightly drtfnk. There were two dozen bottles laying about, but they appeared empty. By the Jury— The first time I saw him was on Sunday morning. Edward Foot, being sworn, said— l am a duly qualified medical practitioner, redding in Foxton. I examined the deceased this , • morning. In appearance the body was ', well nourished. It had a slight contusion over the right eye. I could soarcely gay the but from the evidence that I have heard „.. I should say that he probably died from, apoplexy brought on by drink. I do not think it is necessary to have a post mortem examination. By the Constable — The blow over the . right eye I should say was not sufficient to cause death. George Amos Tapp being sworn said—l am a constable stationed at Foxton. On Monday morning at six o'clock, Johnson reported to me the death of Lawson. I afterwards Went down> and, saw the deceased, I saw he had had a blow, recently over the right eye.. That epnhr mark I saw about him. I examined his side and his breast. The blow over the eye I did not think sufficient to cause death. 1 attribute it to a fall while drank. I left the body in the same state as seen by the jury. I found no money on him, and went to tht Post Oi'ioe ana enquired

if he had any money there due. I was informed that he had' and was now due. I also found the deeds of his house and land which I have in my possession. I knew the deceased for the last six months. He appeared to be in a very weak and feeble state and I thought he could not live long. I have seen him under the influence of drink several times. I saw a couple of dozen bottles of beer and spirits about the premises. They were all empty. I know Charles Johnson, he is a cook, and when he gets a cheque he comes into town and spends it with the deceased, in living and drinking together. When the deceased had his money three months ago, Johnson stayed with the deceased and helped him to spend it. I believe that the deceased drank heavily at his house whenever he had any money. I have seen Johnston and the deceased about together and they always appeared very friendly. The deceased had no relatives in this district. The jury returned a verdict that the deoeased died from a fit of apoplexy.