Prior to the fatal accident in which Mr. W. J. C. Shoppee fell down a lift shaft in Broadway Mansions on December 31 last year, a barrier about three feet in height had been, placed across the lift door on the second floor, from which Mr. Shoppee fell, The barrier left three or four inches space from the wall at each end. This was brought out at the inquest on Mr. Shoppee held before Mr. C. H. Haines, Coroner, in H. M. Police Court yesterday, and adjourned until 2 p.m, to-morrow. Medical evidence "was given by Dr. E. A. Aylward, and Dr. E. G. Gauntlett, Dr. Aylward said that he saw Mr, Shoppee in hospital at 6 p.m. on ber 31, He was unconscious, bleeding at the left ear, and bore all the evidence of a fractured skull. He was also suffering from a fracture of the left femur. His condition was hopeless.
Dr; Gauntlett said that at 6,30 p.m. on December 31 he was called to the General Hospital to see Mr, Shoppee. He was satisfied that death was due to fracture of the skull, shock, and laceration and fracture of the brain.
"I was informed that he had fallen from a height" said Dr. Gauntlett, "and his condition would lead me to suppose that he probably fell on his feet. The spinal column had been driven forcibly into the base of the skull." Witness said that when he saw Mr, Shoppee, the latter was capable of speech, There were no signs that deceased had indulged in alcohol,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.