INQUEST.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 568, 23 December 1881, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held on Tuesday morning at the lumiigiation depot, on the body of William Giuin, a sailor, drowned in the harbor on Friday, 16th inst., before J. Aylmer, Esq., Coroner, Mr G. Black was chosen foreman of the jury.

The following evidence was taken : —

Walter Manning, sworn, said : I am second mate of the s.s. Penguin. I have seen the body of deceased, and recognise it as that of William Giirm. On Friday, the 16th inst., the Penguin was in Akaroa on a pleasure excursion. About 6 p.m. on that date the Penguin started for Lyttelton ; shortly after leaving the wharf the deceased was securing a boat, and while doing so deceased fell over the side into the water. Deceased was not sober at the time. -A life buoy was thrown to the deceased, which iell within three feet of ,him. A boat was lowered from the steamer, but did not succeed in saving the deceased. I saw deceased go down. Three men belonging to the steamer jump-d over to try to save the deceased. By Mr Black -.—I cannot say whether deceased struck the side of the vessel when falling.

Win. Willis, sworn, said : I am sergeant of police stationed at Akaroa. On Friday, tiie 16th inst., on hearing of an accident aboard the s.s. Penguin, I went with some volunteers and dragged for the body of deceased, but without success. Ou the I7th inst. I went with the same men and two boats, and after about an hour and a half we hooked the deceased by the sleeve of the coat. I brought the deceased to the morgue where he now lies. This concluded the evidence,' and the jury returned a verdict of " Accidentally drowned,"