THE STRANGE DEATH AT WELLINGTON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1515, 20 November 1886, Page 3

THE STRANGE DEATH AT WELLINGTON.

Welunoton, Nor. 18. At the inquest on the body of Henry Andrews, who died yesterday, Dr Pemberton stated that he was called to see Andrews on Saturday. In reply to witness, deceased stated that he had been burned, and be then exposed the injured' parts. Witness found, to his astonishment, that the man had received very extensive bums about the lower part of the abdomen, extending round the buttocks and embracing the inner aide of the thigh. Witness saw that no practical treatment had been adopted, and was astonished at the way in which deceased made light of his injury. He seemed to think that ho could be cured in a week by most simple treatment. Witness explained to him the serious nature of his injuries, and advised him to go to the hospital, where he was accordingly taken next morning. His statement as to how it had occurred was very vague, although his brain appeared to be perfectly clear. Be said that he bad struck a match and set fire to the vallance of the bed, and had got burned in that way, but he afterwards spoke of having gone out riding, and thus chafed himself at the injured parts. This seemed to witness preposterous, as the injury from the burns was so severe and extensive that witness could not conceive bow a man suffering so acutely could ride at all. Witness bad no hope for his survival after having examined the deceased, for he saw that the man was almost cer- . tain to die from suppuration. Frank Crespin, son of deceased's landlord, deposed that Andrews, on the Prince of Wales’ Birthday, complaiusd of soreness. On Thursday he repeated kis previous complaints as to stiffness and soreness, and witness obtained for him carbolic oil and a puff box, with which to apply fuller’s earth. On Friday deceased was no better. In the evening he got out of bed in witness’ presence, and witness noticed lor the first time that his nightshirt was covered with some kind of matter. Witness insisted upon an examination as to the cause of bis sufferings. Deceased then said, " I’ll tell you, but I’ll not t«il anyone else, lam afraid your mother

would be vexed about it,” He then explained that when he returned from hit ride on the afternoon of the Prinse of Wales’ Birthdnj be felt very sore. He rubbed loroe vaseline over himself. While he was undressed be struck a natch to light a cigarette, when the bead came off and ignited the vallanoe of the bed and also caught his shin. He then lost all presence of mind, and was not quick enough to put it oat before it burned him severely. At witness’ request he showed the extent of his injury, and witness told him he aught to consult a doctor at ones. Dsoeased treated bis injury lightly, aid witness applied carbolic oil and ointment to hie wounds, which he repeated twice during the night, when he also gave him water. He appeared to be enduring great pain, though he would not acknowledge it. On Saturday morning he still said he did not think it was Bcoassaiy that he should see a doctor, and at midday be was somewhat easier. Iu reviewing the evidence, the Coroner said that the case was one of the most wonderful that he had ever met with. He would Scarcely have thought it possible that a man could have endured b .ch suffering a* deceased must have undergone without making more complaint; but it could be understood that a man who was given to secret drinking, and who lived with a family so strict in its ways would, after injuring himself through carelessness, become so shocked and frightened of exposure that he would bear up against a great deal of suffering under each circumstances. He (the Coroner) believed that, haring injured himself in this way, deceased, though suffering frightful torture, had still, for the sake of bis character and good name, borne it without complaint. His agonies must have been like those of a martyr, but the inducement being very great he had kept the matter to himself. All possible attention had been shown to him by the people with whom he lived, and the cause of death could not have been other than accidental. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased met his death from the effects of burns accidentally caused by himself.