A PECULIAR POSITION.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43095, 21 May 1907, Page 4

A PECULIAR POSITION.

At the inquest on, the death of Captain Swanson, of the -scow Whakar nui, who- died suddenly in his bunk on board the vessel at Katikati, the following evidence was tendered : John Brown said: I am a sailing master on board the "Waikanui scow. Deceased was captain, of the scow, but had -not a certificate to sail the boat. on> the articles he was an A.B. I have been in his employ for four months. Deceased Was on board the boat continuously with me during, that time. About six weeks-’ ago deceased was laid up for a few days at Mercury Bay. On Monday, 13th inst., he complained of feeling unwell, and turned in at about 10 a.m. He did not complain when spoken to. In the even in tr at- about 6 o’clock, hie felt worse, and complained of pains in the stomach. I did not send- for a, doctor as I did not think it- was serious, I did not know where to find one. I put hot fomentations on his stomach, till midnight-. The last one I Iput on was scalding hot, but he could not feel it. At one o’clock he started vomiting, and at half-past one he died in my arms. Deceased, who was a native of Sweden, was 40 years of age. I have known him for about- 20years, and do not think he was married. Since deceased went under an operation in, the Auckland hospital he had an opening in his side through which everything ,wa-s passed.

The medical evidence was that deceased died from acute peritonitis, and the jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes. They also expressed their appreciation of the attention given to deceased ibyt John Brown and Dtejvid Sinclair, who were his mates.