INQUEST.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 230, 27 June 1872, Page 7

INQUEST.

On Saturday afternoon last an inquest was held on the body of a Chinaman named Chow Pet at the Tuapeka Hospital, before the district corner, Vincent Pyke, Esq., R.M. The deceased had ljeen taken to the Hospital on Friday, where he only survived two hours. The evidence of two Chinamen showed that deceased was 28 years of age, and had been in this country only five months. Was mining at Waipori, where, about a fortnight ago, he took ill. The Chinese doctor there described his trouble as general debility. He was removed from Waipori to Lawrence on Thursday, and arrived at the Chinese camp at 7 p.m. that evening. On the following day, about 4 p.m., he was removed to be Hospital. The witnesses did not I'emain with him at the Hospital, but at once returned to the camp ; and did not see him again till after his death. Deceased, on being brought >■ from ' Waipori, was placed in the im- | migration depot, where he had a bed and where his relatives looked after him, but had not medical attendance The Chinese doctor at the camp did not see him to their (witnesses') knowledge. Deceased left no property — he was very poor.

Dr. Stewart stated that he had made & post mortem examination of the body, which' showed a general emaciated appearance. On opening the chest, he found the superior lobe of the lungs inflamed, and the anterior lobe the seat of extensive suppuration. The heart and kidneys presented a healthy appearance. Suppuration of the left lung, powerfully assisted by the inflammation right, mnst have been the cause of death. The suppuration must have been of some weeks duration. He wished to remark that most of the Chinese of late that have come to the Hospital have been in a moribund state. They seemed to be sent to die, and not to get better.

The evidence being completed, the jury nt once agreed upon a verdict, which the foreman, Mr. R. Williams, announced to be in accordance with the medical testimony.

Since the inquest, we have been informed that the deceased Chinaman was brought from Waipori on Wed-

nesday, and not on Thursday, as deposed by ihe Chinese who gave evidence. This discloses very culpable neglect on the part of the friends of deceased, who themselves admit no medical advice was called for all the time he was at the Chinese camp.