Mysterious Death.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 54, 8 March 1904, Page 2

Mysterious Death.

(Per Press Association.) ri _ IH'NHCWX, March 7. rile inquest touching the death of Iliomas Crerar Matheson, whose body was found in the harbour, was continued to-day. Dr. Cordon MacIKmald, who made the post mortem with l)r. doss, said they found the front ol the neck much discoloured and bhmdstniwd, as would occur in the case of strangulation. There were wound s similar to bullet wounds on the ball of the left thumb and on fclie left arm above tike wrfet joint. The conclusions they arrived at were The wounds were inflicted belore death ; the discoloration of tho neck took place before death • the congestion of tho lungs and brain is consistent. with any interference with the act of free breathing ; the absence of fluid or froth in lungs and the almost complete absence of fluid in the stomach are not characteristic of dealii ny drowning ; probably tho person was dead or ai least unconscious before falling or being thrown into the water : it was possible, but not likely, tliat opium entered into the cause of death ; It was passible injuries on the head were self-inflicted, and the same re--mark would apply to the* iujuries on neck, but not to the same degree oi probability.

Kvidenee was given Unit, ihc deceased unci li. w. Wall, chief mate ol the Akaron, were driven to ihe wharf on the night of |-'e|>. 27th, both lieing under the inlluence of litpioi-. Wall sniil he coitld not recall ihe fact of having born driven to ihe whrfrf willi Mnthusou, It was (|tiit.e likely, as Matheson had accompanied him on previous occasions and slept on hoard. Witness had taken a liking to Matheson, and tltev l.a«l been together in several places oil tile night of the U7th. The imp)est was further adjourned to permit, of the deceased's stomach being analysed and further inquiries made.