HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 493, 21 February 1880, Page 2

HAWERA.

(FROM OUR OWM CORRKSPOXBUXT.) February 19. It is with regret I have to announce the death of Mr Edward Prichard, chemist, of this town. He went to bod to all outward appearances on Tuesday evening in his usual health, but on Wednesday morning he was found dead in his bed. Mr Prichard had only lately purchased the business from the trustees of*the late Mr P. 0. Moore, and consequently had only been in the township for a few weeks ; but in that short time he has made many friends, who will regret his death. I believe he leaves a widow and grown up family. The inquest on the body was held on Thursday last, at Prosser's Mote! (before Captain Wray and a jury, of which Mr ti. V. Bate was elected foreman). Arthur Rawlings d posed—lam waiter at the Hawera Hotel. About twenty minutes to 11 on the IBlh, I took a telegram up to the room of the deceased and knocked at the door, but received no answer. X then opened the door and saw that he looked dead. 1 pulled down the blanket and felt his heart. I told Mr Prosser, ami lie told me to fetch the Sergeant ot Police. On Monday he told me he felt a little unwell, and on Tuesday he also complained, but did not tell me what was the matter with him. He was a temperate man as far as 1 know. He generally came down to breakfast at about half-past 8. He ate a hearty tea on the evening previous. Mary Prosser said About 1U o’clock in the morning I went up to Mr Prichard’s room, and opened the door; seeing him there, I shut the door and came away, thinking ho was asleep. Sergeant Cahill deposed—Constable Crozier came and told me that Mr Prichard was found dead in bed. I went to the hotel and saw the deceased. His arms were crossed on his body, and ho was quite naked. His clothes wore close to the bed ; his watch was on the dressing table, and going. I left Constable Crozier in charge of the body. W. F. Keating deposed I am a duly qualified medical practitioner residing at Carlyle. I called at Mr Prichard’s shop on Tuesday morning last. He spoke of having been very unwell, and strangely distressed and low in spirits, and unable to take food. He had been suffering from diarrhoea, and complained greatly of the heat. He produced a telegram from his son, who staled that he would leave for Patea on the following day. Deceased declared himself so much better that he said he would inform his son there was no necessity to come here on his father’s account. On Wednesday afternoon about 4 o’clock I examined the body ; the rigidity of death was well marked, and lavidity in various parts of the body. I presume he had been dead not less than six hour?. The deceased was singularly bloodless, and some dropsy existed about the ankles. I have no doubt death was caused by disease of the heart and. debility after his illness. I should think he would be about 60 years old,—By a juror: I did not prescribe for him before his death, as he said he was so much better. Constable Crozier said—l saw the deceased at half past six on Tuesday evening at his own shop. I had very little conversation with him. He appeared to be in his usual state of health, which was delicate. On the following morning, about 11 o’clock, I came with Sergt. Cahill and Rawlings to the hotel, and found Mr Prichard dead. I remained in charge of the body and property ; there was five £,l notes and a copper in his pocket. Captain Wilson deposed—l occupied a'room adjoining the deceased. About

12 o’clock on Tuesday night, I was going to bed, and heard someone snoring very heavily in the next room. It continued for some time, then ceased. I did not know who slept in the room then.

Mr Anderson said he was with the deceased up to the time he went to bed. He appeared to be in his usual health. The jury gave as their rth-diet that the deceased died from natural causes.

February 20. The first fire that has happened since I have been in the township occurred on Thursday afternoon. It apoears that about half-past four, the groom saw some smoke issuing from the loft of tiio coach stables at Owen’s Hotel, and he immediately gave the alarm ; but it was of no use, as the building burnt like tinder, and also a rick of oats close by caught fire and was totally destroyed. The horses and most of the harness were got out of the stables with difficulty. I believe very little of the harness was destroyed. Luckily, at the time of the fire, there was no wind, or the consequences might have been far more serious. The building, I understand, was insured in the New Zealand Office for £250, but there is no insurance on the oats. The origin of the fire is unknown, as no one had been in the loft for some hours before the fire commenced. A number of volunteers were ready to assist in pulling away the fences, &c., adjoining, anil also watched the lire all night. This morning it was still burning, but there is now no danger. A great deal of damage was done to Mr W. White's garden. It is rather hard Hues for him, as he has gone, to a great deal of trouble and expense in making his garden almost a little paradise, and now he sees that all his labor has been for nothing. Mr T. Mason lias again been unfortunate with Ids sheep. On Thursday last he saw his sheep rushing very wildly about, so he and his boy took their carbines with them (knowing pretty well what was up), and when they arrived at the. paddock, there were four dogs chasing the sheep like mad. Mr Mason has the satisfaction of knowing that he killed the four dogs, but that won’t compensate him much for his sheep. The boy made a remarkably good shot at one of the dogs. He had had one shot at him and missed, so he jumped on his pony, and galloped after the dog to head him, but seeing a good chance for a shot he pulled up, and lived off the pony’s neck, the shot going through the collar (cutting It in two) and corning out by the ear. The owners of the dogs can have their carcases for interment on interviewing Mr Mason. The number of sheep that wen; killed is not known; five had been found on Thursday. This is not the first or second time Mr Mason has had his sheep worried by dogs, and it is time some of these useless brutes that go prowling about the streets were done away with, the majority of them no doubt are not registered.