INQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 25 July 1907, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest touching the death of Thomas Henry Hayward, whose body was discovered by Mr Geo. Coley on Tuesday last, was held in the local Court House yesterday forenoon before Mr Thos. Rimmer J. P. (acting coroner) and the following jury : Messrs Hamer (foreman), F. Robinson, E. Howe, J. R. Hines, J. K. Hornblow, and R. Morley. After viewing the body the following evidence was taken. Samuel Hickson, licensee, of the Family Hotel, deposed that he knew the deceased Thomas Henry Hayward. Last saw him on July Bth. He was in the bar of witness’ hotel. Told witness he did not feel well. Refused to take breakfast when asked by witness. Deceased was perfectly sober, had a drink and purchased a bottle of whisky. Witness said deceased then left. Deceased stated that he was working at the beach. Had not seen him since that date.

William Redgrave, barman at Whytes hotel, deposed that be knew deceased by sight. Had often s?en him in the hotel. Last saw deceased about two and a half weeks ago. Deceased was in the hotel. Deceased purchased a bottle of whisky. The day previous deceased had purchased a bottle of beer. Had not seen deceased since.

George Coley deposed that on Tuesday as he was driving down to the beach thought he saw a man laying down in Robinson’s padddock. Upon closer investigation he found it to be deceased, dead. Then communicated with the police. . . Dr Mandl, medical practitioner, deposed to having performed a post mortem examination on the deceased. The body was in a fairly good state of preservation, no external marks of violence, th e heart was fatty, right heart was engorged with blood, pulmonary valves were diseased. The right and left lungs were gorged with blood at their bases ; the right lung showed signs of consolidation ; the liver was cirholtic, the stomach contained a small quantity ot grumous fluid, otherwise healthy. Attributed the cause of death to heart failure due to the condition of the lungs and exposure. May have been dead from four days to a week. Joseph Hayward, brother ol deceased, identified the body as that of his brother. Deceased was a single man, and followed the occupation of a labourer and cook. Last saw him about six weeks ago in Foxton. Deceased was addicted to drink. Deceased had been working at Himatangi as cook at a flaxmill. Deceased’s age was about 40 years, and witness was not aware that deceased had suffered from any complaint. Constable Woods deposed that he knew deceased, who was of intemperate habits, and gave evidence as to removing the body. About fifteen yards from where the body was laying, witness picked up two empty whisky bottles, two empty beer bottles, and his hat. There was no signs as of a struggle having taken place. The jury returned the following verdict; —That there is no evidence to show how the deceased met his death, but a verdict be returned in accordance with medical testimony.