INQUEST.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1891, 14 May 1889, Page 2

INQUEST.

Yesterday morning an inquest was held before 0. A. Wx&y, Esq., Coroner, touching the death of Catherine Collins, wife of Patrick Collins, farmer, of Milford Koad, Temuka, who died on Saturday last. The following jury were empanaelled : —Messrs J. W ,Velvin,,H. Miles, C. Williams, J. J. Heap, James Craig, and A. W. Haze. Mr Yelvin was chosen foreman. The. following evidence was taken J. S. Hayes, medical practioner, residing at, Temuta, said: I have attended deceased on several occasions. She was a person of weak mind, and subject to fits of great nervous depression, and also to bronchitis. I hare not seen her for nine or tan months. She was an elderly woman. I have seen her in a weak and dangerous condition at times, but she' rallied again. She had been in weak health for years. I should not have been surprised had she died long before this. She was looked after as well as i her relations could do so under circumstances. She was a chronic invalid. More frequent attendance on my part might have prolonged her life, but could not have- saved her. I am of opinion that the immediate cause of death was some disease of the lungs. I did not observe any signs of neglect. I attribute death to natural causes. To a juror: 1 was not sent for immediately before death. < Patrick Collins, farmer, Temuka, husband of deceased, said : My wife has been ailing for fully 12 years. She was homesick for a long time after coming out to the colony. It affected her mind. She had five children when she left home. None were born in New Zealand. About two years after landing she complained of illness. During the last ten ,or twelve years she has been attended by different doctors, but she continued to get worse year by year. She was always ailing. She has done no work about the house for the last six yearsf but was always discontented and complaining ,of her ailments. She has been several times to Dr Hayes. Latterly she got very weak, but I did not think it necessary to send for'the doctor until Thursday and Friday last, when see was confined to her bed, I intended sending then, but did not, as I had seen her in the same condition on several previous occasions, and she had rallied. I did not think anything could be done for her, but did not expect her aeath so soon. She bad all the comferfcs that she required. She did not take food for the last two

days, but only tea and milk. She had been like that before. On a previous occasion the doctor had told me that he did not think he could do any good for her. During her late illness she had no different symptoms, but appeared weaker. s After briefly reviewing the evidence the Coroner said that he thought the jury would have no difficulty in arriving at a verdict of death by natural causes. A verdict to that effect was returned.