ANOTHER DRINK VICTIM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3756, 28 February 1907, Page 3

ANOTHER DRINK VICTIM.

50 Per Cent of Deaths due to Drink. An inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of a young man, found dead in a house in Martin Square, Wellington, was held by the District Coroner (Mr J. Ashcroft), on Saturday afternoon. The father of the deceased, testified that bis son was twentyfive years ol age, and had been working at the D.I.C. up till last Friday week. He was a French polisher by trade. The deceased had been addicted to drink for the last three years. He had not seen his son for a week, and he was drunk on that occasion. He had been staying in a small place at the back of No. 13, Martin square, and it was there he had seen him as he was coming out of a fit. He had been sent for. Deceased had been subject to fits for the last three years, and had complained of his heart. When he reached the house on Saturday morning the deceased was alive, but was insensible and did not speak. He sent his son Edward to get a doctor, and when Dr Martin arrived about 9 a.m., he pronounced life to be extinct. Witness believed his son had died in a fit. A brother of the deceased, stated that he had seen his brother shortly after 8.30 p.m. on Friday, when the latter was sitting up in bed. He was drunk then, but talking sensibly. Witness wanted him to go home and he said he would go home in the morning if witness would come for him about 10 o’clock. Witness called at 8.55 p.m. on Saturday.and found deceased lying on his right side with his feet out of bed, and a pillow lying on his head as if it had been put there. Henry Headwick, with whom the deceased had been staying the previous day, said he had had a glass or a glass and a-half ofliquor with deceased about 2 or 3 p.m. on Friday. When deceased took a fit about 3 p.m. he was perfectly sober. After witness had loosened his shirt, he left to inform the father. Gave him water and a little beer through the night. When he went out at a quarter to 9 o’clock deceased was apparently asleep as usual. Dr Martin testified to finding the mad dead. Death was due to an epileptic form of convulsion, caused by drink. The attention of the Health Department should be called to the place where deceased had died.

The Coroner; Yes, you’ll see to that constable. It is abominable. That man over there (Headwick) has been bottling him up_ and making him drink. To the jury : Gentlemen, I should say that at least 50 per cent of the deaths that come under our notice are due to drink.

A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical testimony.