TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2570, 29 December 1888, Page 2

TE AROHA.

Inquest.—A man named Thomas Burke, in the employ of tho Auckland Agricultural Company was found dead in a paddock at Waihou, at 4 o'cbck oa Monday afternoon, The body was taken charge of by Sergt. Emerson the same evening, and placed in the Waihou Hotel to await an inquest, which, owing t« Christmas Day intervening, only took place on Wednesday morning. Mr Ilott, J.P., acted as coroner, and tho following jurymen were duly sworn :—Messrs T. Taylor (foreman), W. Alen, E. Voysey, C. Norris, H. Ross, and C Wilson. The evidence showed that deceased with a man named Walton went to the hotel, where they were each supplied with two pints of beer, that they obtained a bottle of whisky and a bottle of draught beer, which they took away with them about 0.30. About 10, Walton, who admitted having been drinking very heavily, returned to the lintel, and reported that his mate had fallen from his horse and broken his neck. Duriugr the day Burke was visited by several people, but being asleep and snoring, nothing beyond getting over a heavy spree was apprehended, but at 4 o'clock when Mr Collins went to try and rouso him up, the man was found to be dead. The encpiiry lasted some hours and the jury returned a verdict that deceased came by his death in consequence of excessive drinking, and they had no evidence to show that death was caused through any hurt or violence. They also added a rider that drink had been supplied at the (hotel in a very indiscriminate manner. The remains were interred in the Te Arnha cemetery on Wednesday evening.

The Holidays.—About 80 passengers left here by rail on Monday morning, the greater number being for Auckland to witness the races. The two leading hotels, viz., the Club and Hot Springs, were tastefully decorated with ferns and Chinese lanterns. A large number of Auckland excursionists made a flying visit to the springs on Wednesday. They reached here about 1.30, and left at 5 a.m.