CHRISTCHURCH.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 74, 4 July 1877, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

. June 29. The Inquest on. Warder .White was resumed at the Lunatic Asylum yesterday afternoon. . Dr Coward, surgeon of the asylum, "gave evidence" to the effect that Price had never to his knowledge'had a lucid interval, but he wtfs regarded as harmless, and it was usual to give such patients considerable liberty. He did not consider Price- responsible for his action. when.he stabbed White. ' ' It was a sudden impulse, -and such impulses could not be fully guarded against m a place like a Lunatic Asylum, where -the attendants went about, as it were, with their lives m their hands. C. W. Seager, keeper of the asylum, made a statement to the effect that the asylum grounds, as he had frequently pointed out, required fencing, and that more accommodation was required for male patients. - The jury returned a verdict that White died by a' stab inflicted by Price, who at the time was of unsound mind ; also, that more warders x should -be provided to look after the patients while exercising. Tuesday. The amount of Customs duties collected -during the last quarter was £18,938 — the amount for the corresponding quarter last year being £44,312. The merchants who lost produce by a fire at- the export shed,, Lytfcelton, a short time ago, intend proceeding against the Government for damages. Counsel has been retained, and the mercantile community are to be asked to subscribe towards the expenses."' - The police were sworn .m under the new regulations yesterday. Six men declined to be sworn. A good deal of dissatisfaction exists among the police at the new state of things, and it is said that if swearing had occurred, during the summer months, a larger number of men would have refused farther service.