Inquest.

Manawatu Herald, 29 May 1900, Page 3

Inquest.

An inqu'-f t was held on Saturday by the C<"v.ier, E. S. Thynne Esq, at the Couitnouse, on the death of GeoiG;e William Roberts. The inry were, Messrs G. A. Gray (Foreman) A. R. Osborbe, J. Griggs, J. Cunnire'nam, and W. F. Bowse. The following evidence was given. A. F. Hansen deposed that he had known the deceased about a month. He was working at 'the Crown hemp mill. He last saw deceased alive at midnight on Thursday when he came into his whare at midnight. He mentioned that he felt bad after the drink, and appeared restless. His teht was close to the whare but he heard no noise during the night. David McNiven deposed that he knew the deceased about seven weeks. He was inclined to drink. He left the mill on Saturday night and went into Foxton and did not return till the following Thursday. He was sober when he returned. He last saw him dive at 5.30 on Thursday evening. He thought all the men were friendly with deceased. At eleven o'clock on Friday morning having heard deceased hM not been to breakfast he. went to bis* tent and shouted twice to bim. Gottiog no reply he looked in and fcrand deceased lying down on his back on his bed and noticed his throat was cut. He told the cook what he had seen and he and the cook and others went to the tent. He x saw Bradcock go intor the tent.. Noticed ho signa of any struggle when he looked into the tent. E. W. Geardner deposed that he had known deceased for about six or eight weeks. He was on good terms wfth-allhands. He had told him that became from Paddington near Sydney. He saw deceased the first thing when he returned from town and he was perfectly sober then and brought no Oquor with . him. There is no possibility of getting liquor at the mill. Whilst working in the night at theengine had heard some noise like some diae calling out had taken no notice. . - > Henry Bradcock; deposed that the. ifeftg^edrwas^'very^ quiet man and he didrflcTThink he had any enemies. He wai casually employed at the mill. O n Wednesday night had engaged him to work. Saw him on Thursday morning at "the Post Office at ten minutes to seven going to the mill. Did not see him alive after that. Deceased was sober when hejast saw him. Had posted on two different occasions fetters to Mrs G. Roberts, Wellington. Was told by Furlong on Friday morning that deceased had cut his .throat and so went to the tent. He found deceased fully clothed with the ex,cetttion of his boots, lying on his back on hte bed, with his throat cut. The right hand was laid across his chest and his lett arm down his side the hand being on the leg. He felt him and found he was -dead and cold. There was a razor, closed, lying on a bag -close by him. He used to shave. Hetaformed the police. John Forster deposed that Bradepek: reported the matter to him and hit went to the mill and found deceased lying on his bed as . described by last witness. There was no apparent signs of any struggle having taken t^eeV • Under the right arm he found a p«Gjcet-k|iife (produced) open. On a box alongside, the head of the. bed be found a razor' (produced) closed, it ' wa§ coveted with blood. The case of tfait razor was on the floor. In his serge ' coat pocket was the purse (produced) which contained is 3d, and an order for £3 7s 6d dated 16th May. . In his vest, which was over the bed he found a sixpence. Just at the head ! of the bed.be found a book entitled -U Major Blister," it was open and had , blood stains on the leaves. The dftcased was locked up on the night of tto'.'aand. on a charge of being drunk aod was convicted and discharged the following morning.^ In taking his description he described himself as born in England, a labourer, aged 32. He bad 14s 3d on leaving the lock-up. In bis tent there was a quantity of clothing, and a number of books. Alongside of the bed there was a pair of tan boots, there was a lot of blood in one of them. Taking the position the deceksdd was in, and the position of the bodtsi he should say that deceased bad sat up in the bed and leant over the side and then cut his throat. On the charge of being drunk the deceased pleaded guilty. This being all the evidence offered the jury found that the said George William Roberts cut his throat at the Crown 4 J»en>p nptill on thg,2sth May. whU^^a^BLtefe£ temporary insanity .-