THE INQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 462, 19 June 1909, Page 3

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon, before Alf. Fraser, Esq., District Coroner, when the following evidence was taken: Frederick Hadfield, hotelkeeper, deposed that deceased came to the Manawatu Hotel on May 9th, and witness engaged him as cook. On May 19th, deceased was taken ill and he called in medical aid. Deceased again started work on May 25th, and continued work until June 13th, when witness noticed that he was not looking well, and told him that he had better take a week’s rest, and engaged another cook from Palmerston. On Monday gave him a cheque for £2 and he bought some clothes and asthma cure.

On Thursday deceased appeared to get worse, and witness called in the doctor. The doctor said that it was a case for the hospital, and witness made arrangements to take him to Palmerston by the afternoon train. At about 12.30 deceased appeared worse, and witness again called iu the doctor, who then advised putting him to bed. About ten minutes after the doctor left deceased died. Deceased was of temperate habits. To the police: Witness did not know deceased before he came to Foxton. Deceased had told him that he had no relatives in New Zealand, and that he had lived in Blenheim for about 30 years. Dr Adams, in evidence, stated that he first saw deceased about three or four weeks ago. He then had a syncopal attack, and witness put him under treatment, and in three or four days he was fit for work. Was again called in on the morning of the 17th inst., and found deceased was suffering from dyspnoea. Advised that deceased be sent to the Palmerston Hospital, and gave him a prescription for a stimulating medicine for use until he arrived there. A little before one o’clock was again called iu, and then decided that it was quite useless to attempt to shift him, as he would not last the trip through to Palmerston. Ordered him to be put to lied, and gave him stimulating medicine. Left about 2.45 p.m., and about ten minutes later Mr Hadfield r,ang up and said that deceased had died. Went over and viewed the corpse, and told Mr Hadfield that he did not feel justified in giving a death certificate, because, although deceased was suffering from an asthmatical condition, there was some heart trouble present. Reported the case to the Coroner, who gave an order to make a post mortem, the result of which was as follows: He found that there was chronic bronchitis and congestion of the right lung, in which there was a small abscess; the heart and the organs generally were iu a state of fatty degeneration, and in witness’ opinion death was the result of heart failure, precipitated by overstrain ot a fatty degenerated heart caused by congestion of the right

lung. Constable Woods stated that he searched the body of deceased on the evening of the 17th inst., and found 8s rid in money, a silver watch and chain, also clothing. As deceased was a stranger in Foxton, witness had enquiries made at Blenheim, and had received a telegram Irom the police there, stating that deceased was well known in Blenheim, and had followed the occupation of a cook and baker. He had no relatives in the Dominion. The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.