STRANGE IRONY OF FATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 195, 15 February 1912, Page 2

STRANGE IRONY OF FATE.

DEATH OF A FIREMAN. A HORRIBLE DEN. By Telegraph—Pr«s« Association, Christchurch, Tuesday. My a strange irony of fate, a fireman, who exactly one week ago gave evidence at the inquest of a fireman named Heeligan, who died in a "bach" at Lyttelton, died in the same "bach" this morning. The man's name was Michael Collins, and he was about 56 years of age. He was well known in Lyttelton, where he had been "on the beach" for some time. He resided in the "bach," near the Gladstone pier, and during the past few days had been attended by a doctor. His illness became worse yesterday, and the doctor decided to send him to the Christchurch Hospital this morning. When the police went to the "bach" this morning about 8 o'clock with a cart to remove him to the station they found that death had gone ahead of them, and that the man had passed away.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. CORONER'S VIGOROUS PROTEST.

Christchurch, Later. At the inquest on Michael Collins, the fireman who died in a "bach" at Lyttelton, Dr. J. A. Newell's evidence was to the effect that when Collins was attended lie was found spitting up arterial blood, and his removal to the Christchurch Hospital was ordered. In reply to the Coroner (Mr. H. W. Bishop,, S.M.), witness said that the "bach" was a dreadful place. It was absolutely unfit for human habitation, and should not be allowed to exist.

Mr. Bishop: "That is t}ie principal reason for my holding this inquest. I have heard a lot about this place, and I wonder that the municipal authorities have not taken action with regard to it." ' '

Dr. Newall said that the insanitary condition of the place was found to cause the septic conditions. Mr. (Bishop: "That is so. It seems to lie the harbor for every low-down drinking vagabond that saturates himself with drink, and goes there for nothing else but tb make a beast of himself. When men live in such places they become worse than animals."

The Coroner returned 9, verdict that death was due to syncope, caused by arterial hemmorrhage. H# instructed Senior-sergeant Ryan to write to ;tke Mayor of Lyttelton regarding the site of the firemen's'"bach" and the .insanitary condition of the place. Immediately after the inquest a reporter went to the "bach," and found the owner in the act of tearing the place down. It was indeed a horrible den, and it was inconceivable that'human beings had ever been permitted, still less want : ed, to live in such; a dreadful place. Brom the owner the reporter gathered that the structure had for many years" before lift acquired it ione dutyon the waterfront as a watermen's shelter. It was a wretched hovel, measuring eight feet square, built of galvanised iron and match-lined with timber.