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Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 352, 8 March 1861, Page 1

There have been three coroners' inquests held during the month. Fall particulars of the last one at Collingwood will appear in our next. Another was that of a child, two years of age* likewise at Collingwood, who was drowned in a well. The number of deaths from this cause not only in this province, but -in^ others, require a stringent law.to be passed on the part of the local legislature* with power to the police to give information-against all persons having ! unclosed^ wells on their premises; especially as the parents of young children seem to be careless of their lives. We are glad to see that the jury made a presentment to the effect• That persons having wells should inclose the same,, and that tbe neglect of that I precaution is very culpable and dangerous.' The other is a singular case of a German named Reichard,. who was found dead in his whare. The deceased, it seems, had not been seen for a period of nearly a month; and although the last time he was seen, he had been working for a countryman of his own, and a minister of the Gospel, his absence appears to have created no surprise or inquiry; yet the deceased is said to have complained to one of the witnesses, putting his hand to his stomach, that 'he was not strong enough to grub flax.' Perhaps, as he was somewhat of a literary and eccentric turn of mind, it was thought by the material population who were his neighbors, that it was of little moment what became of him, especially as he was not 'strong enough to grub flax* We think this inquest was hurried over top soon, and too little trouble taken to inquire into the matter of the death of a fellow-citizen. It is said that he kept a journal almost up to the day of his supposed death : we should like to have seen some extracts from this journal, which probably might have thrown some light as to the period which expired between the time when he complained of illness to his neighbor and the time of his death. One of the witnesses said that he ' did not find any cooked provisions, hia chief food being flour, rfceT pease,' &c. " Queer stuff indeed to 'grub flax* upon. A verdict to the following effect was returned: —• That deceased was found dead, there being no evidence to prove the cause of death.'