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COLAC.
(From our Correspondent.)
A magisterial inquiry was held on the the 12th
inst, at .M'Laughlin's Hotel, Colac, by Hugh Mar
ray, hsq.J.P., on the dead body of Hizabeth Good
all, alias Watson, who died on the previous day.
Charles Goodall, who was evidently suffering a re*
covery from a debouch, deposed : I am a tnason, re
Biding at Colac. I saw deceased, Elizabeth Watson,
last alive about ] I o'clock on yesterday morning.
She had not been sick before she died. She drank
a glass and a half of port immediately before.
George Cook remarked she was lying very quiet. I
went to see her and fonnd she was dead. X hare
been cohabiting with deceased for about twelve
years, but was not married to 1km*. She did not
drink for the last three years, bnt did previously. I
know Bhe has son\e relations living in the colonv. X
believe Mr Hugh Glass is her uncle. The deceased
vras married. Her hnaband's name woaB&bv. Her
maiden name was Watson Sim is thirty-three
yeais of age, and a native of Ireland. When I found
tier dead George Cook and Joseph Smith were in
the house.
George Cook and Joseph Smith gave evidence
relative to the death of deceased similar to that ad
duced by last witness.
Thomas Rea being sworn, said: I atu a duly quali
fied medical practitioner, residing at Colac. Last
nigbt I ma le a post mortem examination of the
body of deceased woman, known a-* Mrs Goodall. 1
found all the organs of the body healthy, with the
exception of the liver and stomach. There was ex
tensive structural disease of the liver. The coats of
the stomach were very much congested, and con
tained a little grumou3 mutter, which smelt
strongly of porter. The bowels were empty. De
ceased seemed not to have eaten anything for two or
three days previously. I consider deceased died
from extensive disease of the liver, which was amass
of corruption. Death was accelerated by excessive
drinking. I attended deceased about twelve roontbs
since, when she was suffering from the effects of
dissipation.
The Magistrate was of opinion the deceased died
from disease of the liver.
The Colac Gariick Club, in accordance with their
promise, gave u second entertainment on ihe even
ing of the 6th inutiht, at the Temperance Hall,
Colac, in aid of the sufferers by the boiler explosion,
which occurred some time since in this neighbour
hood. The same plays "All at Coventry," and
" Bombastes Furioso," which were performed on
the former occasion, were again produced. The
amateurs having much more confidence showed a
decided improvement in their acting and i he general
tone was more graceful and finished than on the
last evening. Mr Harrison's " D.>ra " may be men
tioned particularly as having improved. It was
evident also that more attention was paid to the
toilet than on the former occasion.
The house, it is tj be regretted, was notwell filled,
which reflects little credit on the inhabitants of
Colac, who it may be supposed would be only too
anxious to advance so benevolent a cause as that for
which tho • ntertainment was given. Apart from
any charitable motives in patronising the laudable
efforts of the amateurs, the evening's entertainment
was for its intriusic value well worth seeing. The
handsome amount of about £\'2 has been made
clear of nil expenses by the two performances, which
sum will be applied for the benefit of the sufferers
above alluded to.
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