The Late Sudden Death.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2890, 21 May 1878, Page 3

The Late Sudden Death.

Coroner's Inquest.

An inquest on the body of the man Norman Stewart, who *died suddenly under circumstances stated in yesterday's ' issue, was held at the B.M. Court-house to-day at 11 o'clock, before Dr.lCilgour, Coroner, and the following jury :—Wm. Davies, James Finlay, J. C. Williams, C. 11. Warneford, Cyrus J. Brown, Joseph Craig, Thos. Huker, Alexander Johnston, C. Wilson, J. Patterson, W. Nicholls, FLe Manquais, and Alfred Pearce. Mr W. .Davies having been chosen foreman, the jury proceeded to view the body. The following evidence was then taken ':•— . John Adams, sworn, deposed—l am a seaman. I recollect shipping on boardthe cutter Teviot a month ago. The deceased was captain. We were trading round the Coast. We left Auckland on Friday last, the 17th instant, with a cargo of timber and sheet iron for the Piako. There were only the two of us onboard: We arrived at the Piako on Sunday morning. We made the vessel fast, but'j^jiao other work. The captain complained of a pain in his chest. I have never before known him to complain 1 of a pain in his chest. He went to bed after dinnery and got up to tea, which I cooked, and after tea he sat", in 1 the'cabin and had a smoke, and then rtent to bed. lie did not appear to be suffering from pain on Sunday evening, nor did iie complain. I slept in the same cabin with the'deeeased, but'do not know how he slept. He did not disturb me. He woke me at 5 o'clock on Monday morning to go to work. We got up and dressed, but deceased did not go on deck. I went on deck to cook breakfast. Before I went en deck deceased said he felt very bad and was going to lie down again. He laid down on the locker in his clothes.' When I got on. deck I heard the deceased say "Oh dear,!' and I went back to the cabin and found him lying on the locker, his hands drawn up, and kicking with his legs. He was breathing with difficulty. I went over to him, and asked him what was the matter, but he did'nt speak, and then he seemed to have no life in him whatever. I went to show the body to some Maories, and with their assistance I put ifc into a boat, and brought it. to where it now lies. I am a native of Norfolk Island. The deceased Lad no friends in New Zealand.

By the Foreman—l never quarrelled •with the Captain on board, and was always on good terms with him. Francis o'Flaherf.y, sworn, deposed—l am a duly qualified medical practitioner practicing at 'i hames. Ihave this.daymade a post-mortem examination of the body of 2?orman Stewart, the subject of this inquest. I found no external marks of violence on the body. On opening it I found the lungs in . a state of acute congestion; on being cut into they were found, full of blood. The heart was very weak and flabby, and contained no blood. The abdominal viscera presented nothing worthy of remark. I believe that the cause of death was acute congestion of the lungs, and that death was accelerated by the feeble state of the heart. - After a few minutes consideration the jury returned a verdict of f' Death from natural causes." :