[In the supplement]

WITNEY.

SAD DEATH OF A WITNEY MAN.

inquest.

On Tuesday last a Witney man named William Griffen, met with his death at Chipping Norton, under painful and peculiar circumstances. It appears that deceased, who is a driver in the employ of W. Payne & Son, of this town, was driving a bus from Witney to Chipping Norton, and in driving into the town entrance of of the "White Hart," the gateway being low he was severely crushed, and died on Thursday morning. It appears that this gateway is not the one used for vehicles, but as deceased had not been there before he did not know that the proper entrance was at the back. A man named Pratley whom he had picked up on the way, had a narrow escape, but fortunately he saw the danger just in time, and threw himself on to the foot-board of the bus; even then he sustained injuries to his head, of which he bore traces at the inquest. The deceased leaves a widow and six children.

The inquest was held at the "Carpenters' Arms," Inn, Newland this (Friday) morning, before F. Westell, Esq., coroner,.

The Jury, of whom Mr. Arthur Long was foreman, having viewed the body, the following evidence was adduced:-

William Pratley (who had his head in bandages) deposed: I am a publican, living at Crawley. I know the deceased, his name is William Griffen, of Newland; he was a groom, and for the last three months has worked for Messrs. Payne & Son, of Witney. Last Tuesday I saw deceased a little way beyond Leafield. I was walking to Stow-on-the-Wold, when deceased overtook me; he was driving Messrs. Payne's bus, and was going to Chipping Norton. He gave me a lift. I rode outside the bus with the deceased. We got to chipping Norton all right. We drove u to the "White Hart" Hotel. I was still on the box with deceased who drove into the gate way of the "White Hart." Just before going into the gateway I saw the danger, and threw myself on to the foot board. I could see the entrance was too low for anyone sitting on the top of the buss to pass under. I had not time to speak to the deceased, or do anything for him. The beams at the top of the gateway struck my head, and rendered me insensible for a short time. I saw nothing happen to deceased, but when I was getting off the bus I saw him leaning back with the reins in his hands. He appeared to be helpless. He was still on the seat. I saw deceased 20 minutes afterwards in a room at the "White Hart."; he was not sensible then. I have no doubt that the top of the doorway struck him. I did not see him afterwards alive.

Coroner: It seems to me rather peculiar that Pratley did not pull the deceased down with him, but probably Pratley was struck before he got to the foot board.

A verdict of death from injuries accidentally received at Chipping Norton on the 21st inst. was returned.

SPORTING NOTES.

Hanborough v. Crawley- Played at Hanborough on Saturday, and won by the home team by 20 runs. Score:-

WITNEY.

At the Petty Sessions on Thursday, Walter Gotobed, labourer, of Razor Hill, Curbridge, was charged on remand with stealing 31 cigars, value 2s. 7d., the property of William Pratley, of the Lamb Inn, Crawley, on July 4th, and also with assaulting P.C. Henry Jones whilst in the execution of his duty at Curbridge on the same date. He was sentenced to 21 days' hard labour for each offence.