DROWNING OF CAPT. COUTHOYS.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 290, 21 November 1870, Page 2

DROWNING OF CAPT. COUTHOYS.

From the Fiji Times of the sth instant we extract the following : — Yesterday morning the body of a man was found lying on the beach at Levuka—in the absence of the British Consul, Mr. Wishncomb had it removed, and called a number of settlers to act as a jury, and enquire into the,cause of death. The'body waiidentified as Captain Couthoys, master of tho Midnight yacht. Several witnesses were called, the most important testimony was given by Mr. Thomson, who saw the deceased pull off towards his vessel, at a quarter past 11 on the night previous, and wished him good night when about 100 yards from the shore. The evidence as to the sobriety of the unfortunate man at the time of his leaving, was Tery conflicting ; there is i:o doubt the deceased has been iv the h-ibit of indulging in liquor, which may be accounted for by his loneiy position as sole occupant of the yacht. Mr. Norris, who attended the inquest, spoke in the highest, terms of Mr. Couthoys, as a sober and temperate man generally. When the corps was found, it was stripped of trousers, which were thrown' across the le<>s, but how they came off .there was no evidence to show. The jury gave the following verdict : —"We, the undersigned, consider, from the examination, that the. deceased met his death by appoplexy, but whether induee'd by drinking or drowning there is no evidence to show."—F. S. L. Etaije (chairman), Ilev. J. Nottleton, A. Barrck, Gh B. Towson, W. Oaldeeotfc, and G-. Grerrish. The funeral took place at four o'clock tho same afternoon. The deceased was interred iv the English burial ground attached to the "We'sleyan Church. Captain Couthoys was .for some time master of the ship Chile, and traded for many years to New Zealand. He came out by the Chile, as a ♦passenger, on her last voyage 1,0 Auckland. He leaves a widow residing in Auckland.