OPOTIKI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 97, 6 August 1873, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

(fkOSI OUII OWE COll R.ESi’OXDENT.)

FATAL ACCIDENT,

T Thursday, July 31. 1 AM exceedingly sorry to have to report another t; ' ta ‘ ca3e 01 drowning. The ketch Isabella, Baker, master, arrived on Saturday, July 20, from ISapier, with 37 head of cattle for William Kclhv, iisq., in very doe condition. She discharged on Sunday morning, and hauled up the river, anchoring in the Otara about 250 or 300 yards from the wharf. After the captain had left the vessel, the men went to dinner, and afterwards deceased at d the mate proposed bathing. Deceased had, it, appeared, often spoken of bis inability to swim, and was advised not to attempt it. The mate jumped over and swam ashore—some 20 yards. Deceased followed him, and swam a short distance, attempted to turn, and sank before any efforts couid be made to save him. Deceased, Alexander Smith by name, was a very fine young man, about 2o _ years of age, and was a native of Dundee This afiair has east u ecneiderable gloom on the settlement, as deceased was well known and much respected.

INQUEST. An irquest was held on Monday, July 28 at 3 pm, at the Wharf Hotel, Wilson, Esq. ,j!p. acting as coroner. 11 ’’

The following gentlemen were sworn as a jury : —■Messrs R Thompson (foreman). G Forbes, Ring, Ki wan, John Kelly, II Clarke, L Levy S Bates, Bali, McCauley, and two others.

-A.ter viewing the body, Mfilliam Mansfi<Td deposed ; I am mate of the ketch Isabella ; dtceas d was seaman ; y tordav, after dinner, dot-e =ed proposed bathing ; 1 stripped and tried the water; it was cold, and X * dd de e vsed so ; X swam ashore, about 30 yards; did not hear dece- ed jump in; as I reach d shore, I heard the cook call to me to come b >,ck as Sandy (the name he went by) was drowning ; I swam back ; saw the cook throw a bucket, and’ heard him tall to d t sed to catch it ; I was within a sbo.t dist nee of deceas d; I s,w the top of his head ; he s...nk before I could r .eh him and never ro e again ; the water is d- p where he sank ; lam not a good swimmer ; sent for the c-pta nat once and for a native diver ; we grappled for the body, aud found it after it had been :n toe water some three hours. One of the eimen corrobora .ed the evidence. ° °

The cook of the Isabella deposed : On Sunday the mate and deceased went overboard for a bathe ; the mate swam ashore ; when the mate wa. half-way between the vessel and shore, do rased Jumped into the water ; be swam towards the shore, and got about 20 feet from the vessel ; he appeared to me to try to turn, and sank; be rose twice ; ne ciid not struggle ; the second time bis head just came to the surface; I hove the bucket to him both limes ; the bucket was within a foot of where he rose; he did not rise after sinking the second time ; X cannot swim ; threw him a rope, but he did not attempt to catch it. The jury, alter deliberation, found a verdict, of “Accident lly drowned,”

Decesed was buried on Tuesday, the fune. A being largely attended by settlers and storekeepers. The Rev Mr Martin officiated.

The cutter Janet Grey cleared out on Saturday with a full cargo. Passengers—Mr and Mrs Motion.

The Royal Hotel, which has been closed so long, is shortly to be re-opened. X understand the proprietorship has changed bands. The new landlord is our worthy postmaster. As he is a general favourite with all he will undoubtedly do a thriving business.

The Oniwa I'srry Xfotei has been completed and opened. Travctiers wio in future have no cause of coir plaint from delay in the ferrv department. *'

The following vessels are in harbour : —lsabelle ketch, loading produce f-r Auck'aml ; Two Brothers and cu fc ,«r Providence,