INQUEST.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 1, 25 February 1864, Page 6

INQUEST.

An inquest was held before T. W. Parker, Esq., Coroner, at Moeraki, on the body of a man named John O' Donald, found dead in the bush. The deceased had been drinking heavily all last week, and on Friday, the 12th instant, while under the influence of drink, wandered into the bush and got lost. Search was made for him during the two days following, and the police were informed of the circumstance ; but without success. On Monday, while a Maori, named Andrew Tiddiwella, was at work in the bush, his attention was attracted by the barking of a dog, and on going to where the dog was, he discovered the dead body of a man, and at once informed Mr Hardy of it, who, in company with the Maori Chief, went and found the dead body of the missing man. Information was at once conveyed to the police, and without delay Sergeant OBrien proceeded to the spot, and had the body removed to M'Kinnley's Hotel, there to await an inquest. There was only a pair of trousers and a shirt upon it. He (Sergeant OBrien) searched the pockets, but found nothing. It was lying on its back, with one arm over the breast. He examined the body — the elbows, heels, and feet — and found them very much bruised. The ground was indented by the head, heels, and elbows, as if deceased before death had been struggling very much to get up. The feet were much scratched, as would be caused by a man wandering through the bush without shoes on, or any protection to his feet. On the right cheek there was a large bruised scar, apparently of long standing. There were no footmarks near the body, nor any appearance of a struggle having taken place beyond the marks already mentioned. On Saturday and Sunday he received a report of a man being missing, and that search had been made for him without success. The distance from the house where the deceased started from to where he was found dead is about two miles. He did not make any search. Verdict, "That the deceased died from exposure to the weather ;" with the following rider : — " The Jury is of opinion that sufficient diligence was not shown by the Sergeant of Police at Hampden, in searching, or causing search to be made, for the deceased after the fact of his being missing had been duly reported ; but, at the same time, the Jury is also of opinion that one constable is not now sufficient for the efficient performance of the police duties of the Moeraki district."