INQUEST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4457, 2 July 1875, Page 2

INQUEST.

(Before Dr. Johnston,- Coroner, and a jury.) On Wednesday afternoon an inquiry into the death of Alice Russel], the little girl who was run over by one of the corporation carts, took place at the Albion Hotel. Mr. Allan watched the proceedings on behalf of John Thomas Biddle, the driver of the cart, and Inspector Atchison on behalf of the Crown. After calling the names of the jury, and fining two absentees, Mr. Murphy was appointed foreman. The Coroner, in addressing the jury, said they were met to inquire into the cause of the death of a little child called Alice RusselL Although some steps had been taken in the matter, they were to decide as if they had heard nothing previously. It was difficult to avoid an accident with children where so many were playing about. If - the jury— ■ thought from the evidence that would bo given that it was an accident, they would give .their verdict accordingly. , Mr. William Wood, who lives : sxt door to the Albion Hotel, in Tory-street, stated that about twenty minutes to 12 o’clock he saw the child lying on the road and the wheel pass over its head, apparently without the driver’s knowledge. The horse was drawing a load of dust and rubbish, aud going at a walking pace. He did not observe the child fall. On giving the alarm the driver stopped, aud when Mr. Wood picked her up he (the driver) appeared much grieved. He could not say which way the driver’s head was turned at the time of the accident. There appeared to be no one in charge of the children who were playing in the street about this time. Dr. Harding, a duly qualified medical practitioner, was then called and deposed that about 12 o’clock on Tuesday the deceased was brought to his house by her aunt, who said the child had been run over by a cart. The head was flattened from side to side, and the hair scraped clean off the scalp, the left eye closed aud much swollen with inflammation. Such a wound could not have been caused by a horse's hoof, as it would have been more defined. A wheel could have caused such a wound. The child was insensible the - whole of the afternoon, and troubled with convulsions, thus showing injury to the brain. From the appearance of the child, there appeared but little hope of its recovery. Isaac Clark, a little boy, ten years old, on being questioned as to the nature of an oath, appeared to fully understand it, and was then sworn. On Tuesday, about dinner time, he observed the deceased, in company with several children of her own size, playing on the road. He did not see anyone in charge of the children. Whe* cart came round the comer into the driver was sitting in the

front of his cart, with the reins in his hands, the horse going at a walking pace. The driver did not see the child, and was passing on, when Mr. Wood ran out, and calling to the driver, picked her up. Frederick Slade, a carter, said: Abont twelve o’clock on Tuesday he was in the bar of the Albion Hotel. Saw one of the Corporation carts go round into Tory-street from the town. The driver was sitting on the front of his cart, on the near side, with the reins in his hands. and had full control over the. horse. Ihe cart appeared tobe loaded with dust and rubbish, and was drawn at a walking pace. A few minute after the cart passed there was an alann, and on going out he saw Wood with the child in This arms. • ... The jury considered it was not necessary to call John T. Biddle, the driver of the cart, as there was sufficient evidence before them. The Coroner said the evidence had brought out the fact that the driver was going at a very slow rate, and with proper command over the horse. If the jury thought there had been neo-lmence on the part of the driver their verdict must be manslaughter. If, on the other hand, there had been no neglect on the driver’s part they must conclude the death was caused fcyhrough an accident. - After a few minutes’ deliberation the jury brought in the following verdict: —That no blame was to be attached to the driver, who was sitting in his proper place, and exercising due care in driving, and had shown much sorrow for the accident. A rider was added : That parents should be careful in preventing their children playing in the streets. '