NETHERBURY

Sudden Death. —Mr. William Hine, who was warned to act on the jury empannelled to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of Gertrude Walbridge was about to fulfil the engagement, when he was seized with a paralytic fit, and passed away about five clock in the afternoon. Drs. Daniel and Goodchild were immediately called, but the case was hopeless.

Sudden Death of a Child.—An inquest was held at the Star lnn, Netherbury, on Monday before the Coroner (Mr. C. G. Nantes), touching the death of Gertrude Walbridge, aged five, which occurred after a few days’ illness of bronchitis. —Mr. E. R. Tucker was chosen foreman of the jury.—The first witness was Mary Jane Marks, wife of Robert Marks, a neighbour. She stated that she had known the child since its birth, and it had been always very delicate. On the previous Saturday the father of deceased called her to go in and see the child, and asked her if she would take it. Witness found the child suffering from bronchitis- This was about 10 a.m , and the child remained in the same condition until about eleven, when she saw a change. She called Mr. Walbridge, and told him the child was dying. The father of deceased sent for a doctor when she went in, but medical assistance did not I arrive until after death, which occurred about twelve. The child was very feeble, and was given weak brandy and water.—William Hawkins Walbridge, father of the child, said deceased was five years of age, and had always been delicate. His wife lived away, and was not the mother of the child, deceased being the offspring of his first wife. On Friday night the child was suffering from a cold, and at that time he had no reason to suppose she was seriously ill. He had asked Mrs. Spracklin, a neighbour about the child, and Mrs. Chard, his sister, applied a poultice to the chest of deceased. The child seemed better, and slept in a room adjoining witness’s with his other little girl. Shortly after one o'clock he heard the deceased cough, and after relieving it, with the aid of his sister, prepared some warm milk, and gave it to the child, who went to sleep. Witness and his sister visited the room several times afterwards, and at five, all seeming well, he went to bed. At breakfast time deceased was again given milk, and later he was alarmed at the child’s appearance. He sent for a doctor, the message being that witness had a little girl dangerously ill, and he was please to come at once.—The Coroner, in summing up, suggested the advisability of procuring medical assistance earlier.—A verdict of death from Natural causes was returned.