INQUESTS.
An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of John McAuley, who, it was supposed, fell over the bridge at Otakia, was held at the hospital this forenoon. Coroner Carew presided, and Mr G. H. Smith was chosen foreman of a jury of six. The following evidence was tendered: —
William Heenan, farmer, residing at Maungatua, said that the body was that of John McAuley, who was from Ireland, but witness could not say of what county. He came from the north of Ireland, and witness had known him for five or six years. He might have been ten or twelve years in New Zealand. He was a single man. Witness had employed deceased as a farm laborer. He believed that a sister of deceased resided at Oamaru. On the 26th inst. — the day of the Taieri show — witness saw deceased, and told him to work in a turnip paddock. In the evening witness was told that no work had been done that day, as deceased had been sleeping. Witness could not state what business deceased had at the Otakia Bridge, but he had been told that he was seen riding furiously in that direction. When witness saw him last he seemed to have had a few liquors, but he was not intoxicated. Deceased remained away on the night of the 26th, and upon witness inquiring where he was — he being absent from breakfast — he was told that he had not returned. In the afternoon witness found that one of his riding horses was missing, and instructed an employe to follow the road leading to Otakia. The man went along the Otakia road, and, upon returning, said that he had met the horse, saddled and tightly girthed, coming in the direction of witness's house. A man could not have crossed the bridge on horseback; there were only two narrow planks, sufficient for a man to cross in safety.
To the foreman: Deceased was on good terms with his fellow servants, and there was no indication of a quarrel having taken place.
John O'Leary, storekeepor at Otakia, saw deceased between ten and half-past ten on Thursday night, the 25th inst. He came to witness's place about half-past nine o clock, and said that he had come over for something. Deceased had drinks in the hotel — three glasses of rum and one of porter. He left by himself, telling witness that he intended going to Mr Heenan's. There was nothing wrong with him. It was a very dark night. Witness recommended him to go up the railway road, as the night was so dark, and deceased said that he would not go that far round. He then proceeded in the direction of the Otakia Bridge. Next morning witness was informed by a man that deceased was hurt at the railway bridge. Deceased signed his name "McCully" not McAuley. When it was discovered that deceased was hurt it was decided to send him into the hospital at once. People are prohibited from crossing the Otakia Bridge, as it is dangerous even during the day. This was the second death which had been caused by persons falling off the bridge.
Fraucis Payne, surfaceman, said that on Friday morning he was crossing the bridge when he saw blood on a sleeper at the far end; he also saw a hat lying on the ground, and on going down the bank saw deceased lying at the bottom. He was alive, but unconscious, and was covered with blood. He was badly hurt, and was lying on quarry stone. Deceased was placed on a trolly, and taken to the Otakia railway station. It was possible that deceased might have been hurt by a train, and witness thought so because of the large amount of blood on the sleeper.
Alfred McCredie, civil engineer in the Railway Department, said that the foot planking was only 18in wide. Witness thought it probable that deceased had been sitting on the foot planking, and had gone to sleep with his head resting on the sleeper. The train passing about a quarter to twelve that night would have crushed his head, and the projecting bolts in the sleeper would have caused the cuts in the face.
Dr Copland, house surgeon, said that when brought to the institution deceased was unconscious, with his face covered with blood. He had a deep wound over the right cheek bone, which was fractured. He had flesh wounds over the ear and eyebrow, and had a compound fracture of the back of the scull. There were also several scalp wounds. He was so far conscious that he could be made to attend, but could not understand what was said to him. He also complained of his right arm and his abdomen.
Dr Maunsell, with witness, attended deceased. Deceased became almost conscious, then relapsed, remaining unconscious during the day and night, and died at seven o'clock on Sunday morning. The cause of death was laceration of the brain and hemorrhage into the brain substance. The injuries could have been caused in the manner suggested by Mr McCredie.
A verdict of "Accidentally killed by a passing train " was returned. -Evening Star, 31/12/1889.
John McAuley lies in an unmarked grave in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.
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