INQUEST.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 658, 14 May 1870, Page 2

INQUEST.

An enquiry into the circumstances attending the death of John M'Kinley, was held before Dr Giles, the District Coroner, at Harris's National Hotel yesterday. The jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken:—

Robert Haynes, publican, Wharf street, deposed : I recognise the body of deceased as that of John M'Kinley, tailor, Molesworth street. I last saw him alive at 11.30 p.m. on Monday, the 9th instant. I was informed on coming home that a man apparently wandering in his mind was at the boat in front of my house, and, on going out, I saw deceased some little distance from the boat. I called out three times "Is that you M'Kinley," but he did not reply. I returned to the house and got a lantern, and returned to where deceased was standing. As I approached him I could see he intended making for the water. I kept the light behind me until within a few feet of him. I was stretching out my hand to seize him, when he threw his coat, which he had taken off, in my face, saying " take that Haynes," and jumped into the water. He was close to the water at the time he leapt in. I followed him up with the lantern until I lost sight of him close to the Bright street wharf, where a steamer was lying. He appeared to be a very good swimmer. No assistance arrived for some time. Deceased never spoke after jumping into the water. I saw him about 8 o'clock the same night near the Occidental Hotel on the wharf. He was then standing on the bank of the river. He had appeared strange for two or three days prior to his death, and he told me that he was getting all right, and that he had been drinking hard. Margaret Shwerer, deposed : 1 reside at Addison's Flat. On Monday, the 9th inst. I was attending Mrs Haynes at the Royal Oak Hotel, Wharf street. I did not know deceased, but I identify the body as that of a man who was in the bar that night. He came in and called for a brandy. He had a letter in his hand with the photograph of a female enclosed, and was looking at it. He appeared pale and troubled. He remained only a few seconds, and did not speak in answer to a remark I made about the weather. He then went to some steps opposite the house, and I heard him speaking. I went out and found him alone, sitting in the boat with his feet in the water, and lookiug in the direction of the steamer. He remained there from shortly after eight until nearly eleven. J went ont several times, and on the last occasion he had gone. Mr Haynes came home shortly after, and I told him what had occurred. I saw deceased in the water shortly after Haynes stretched out »is hand to seize him ;he swam well in the direction of the steamer. I lost sight of him in consequence of leaving the bank to reach the wharf. He was perfectly sober, but appeared much troubled.

William M'llwee, painter, deposed to finding the body of deceased, which he identified as that of John M'Kinley. He found the body on the beach at the end of Molesworth street, between six and seven that morning. It was approaching high water. Witness gave information to the police. He saw M'Kinley about mid-day, also on Sunday evening. He complained to witness that some one was after him for the purpose of doing him an injury. Robert Whyte, draper, Gladstone street, deposed to having seen deceased alive on Monday, the 9th, about five o'clock in the afternoon. Shortly before that he came and asked for some money to forward to Melbourne. He wanted to send £BO, and ultimately asked for £2O. His manner was excited, and witness thought him unfit to be at largo, and gave information to the police as to deceased's condition. Deceased informed witness that he had been bad for some time and spoke of going to the Terraces for a week, and desired him to take charge during his absence. He also produced his ledger and gave instructions respecting some accounts.

William Kiely, sergeant of police, deposed that about six o'clock last Monday evening Mr Whyte informed him that deceased required looking after, being strange in his manner. Witness left instructions with the constables to look after M'Kinley and, if necessary to arrest him. The police looked for but did not find M'Kinley. Wituess went himself to look for deceased about ten o'clock, but could not find him. He went along the river bank towards Bright street, and also towards Herbert street, and also along the beach. He was searching till a quarter past eleven. After learning that deceased had drowned himself, witness and constables searched the river and beach till three the following morning to recover the body. The following morning they searched the bush, having learnt that deceased had been in the habit of hiding himself. John Munro, auctioneer, gave evidence as to a statement made by deceased, that he had been drinking heavily shortly before his death, and that he had suffered severely from its effects.

William Hunter, police constable, proved having found the body of deceased on the beach. Tho sum of £2 13s and the likeress of a female relative were found on deceased's person. Witness searched for deceased on the night of Monday both before and after the accident.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased had drowned himself durin' a state of temporary insanity.