CORONER'S INQUEST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4561, 2 November 1875, Page 3

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held before Dr. Johnson, coroner, in the hospital yesterday afternoon, on the body of George Stratton, who was found in a dying state on Sunday morning at the foot of the steps in Moore-street. Of the jury Mr. Charles Press was elected foreman. The coroner charged the jury in the usual manner, and they then retired to view the body. On returning, George Geary, a laborer, living in Moore-street, was examined. His evidence was to the effect that he was awakened on Sunday morning about 6 o'clock by his son, who stated that he heard a man groaning outside. Witness went out, and discovered the deceased lying at the foot of the steps, opposite the hospital, with his head down the hill, and close to the water running in the gutter. His face was turned towards the earth, and his coat was thrown over his head. He appeared quite insensible. Witness, with the assistance of a warder from the hospital, took deceased to the hospital, fearing that he was dying, and there left him. At the time he discovered deceased the rain was pouring down upon him. Arthur Bradford was the next witness. His evidence went to show that he had made a post mortem examination of the body, and from evidences of the internal organs he Bhoukl judge that the man had been of intemperate habits, and had died of serous apoplexy. William Smith deposed that the deceased was insensible when brought to the hospital, but revived slightly in bed after having received a warm bath and some brandy and water; and in answer to questions put by witness, said his name was George Stratton, and that he was by trade a carpenter. _He then sank again, and remained unconscious until he died, at a quarter-past ten on Sunday night, about four hours after his admission to the hospital. The jury returned a verdict of " Death from apoplexy, accelerated by exposure to the cold and rain." __„______^__