INQUESTS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 407, 17 September 1861, Page 2

INQUESTS.

An inquest was held on Saturday last, at the Nelson Hospital, on the body of Thomas Niah, who died there on Friday last. ' "-"From:the-evidence of Mr£\YHght,*6f the Royal Hotel, aud others, it appeared that the deceased applied there for lodgings on the night of Sunday, September Ist, while in an intoxicated state"; the house being, full he wa3 directed to another. At some time during the night, unknown to the ostler, he made his way into the stables at the back of the Royal Hotel, and there received injuries that resulted in his death.

Dr. W. B. Sealey gaveevidence of the deceased having been admitted to the Hospital on the 2nd instant, for severe compound fracture of the right thumb, which was considerably lacerated; lie was then recovering from a partial state of intoxication, and appeared to^ have been very drunk the night before ; there were no other injuries, except two very slight bruises; the fracture was reduced, and the wounds dressed, and he progressed favorably until the evening of the 10th, when symptoms of Tetanus commenced; the thumb was then amputated, and the symptoms gradually increased, until death ensued on the 13th. He had told the medical witness that he believed a horse had bitten him, but Dr. bealey thought he had been trodden on.

The statement of Mr. Barton, the attendant to the Hospital, showed that the deceased had been left at the gate very heedlessly, and in a dirty condition, and that he had afterwards said that he was suffering from his own foolishness.

Verdict: ' That the deceased died from Tetanus resulting from compound fracture of the right thumb, received on the night of Sunday, the first September, probably from the tread of a horse, but that there was not sufficient evidence to enable the jury to say so positively.' .

On the same day another inquest was held at Mr. J. Palmer's, Waimea West, on the body of Margaret Hunter, aged about.66 years, who died suddenly on Thursday last, the 12th instant. The depositions of several witnesses were taken, one of whom said that the medical man called in thought.that' palsy on the heart' was the cause of death, but nothing material was elicited.' Verdict: 'Died suddenly by the visitation of God.'