A QUEER STORY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2283, 17 October 1914, Page 7

A QUEER STORY

AUCKLAND WATERSIDE FATALITY. \ (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, Ootober 16. A singular story related to Mr. Cutton, S.M., at the resumed inquest today on the body of Alice Ward, alias Lindopp, aged about 34, which was' found in the harbour near the Nelson Street Wharf. An examination of tho body showed that the woman died from drowning, that she had been drinking considerably, that there was an abrasion on ono wrist as if' she had been gripped roughly,, and that a small sum of money was held tightly in one •hand. Frank Taylor, a fenman aboard the scow Albatross, gave evidence which showed that the woman was a frequent visitor to men aboard the scows. Late on the night in question ho stated, ho was returning to his scow in a drunken condition whon ho met the deceased who had been on another scow and who said she had nowhere to sleep. Witness tried to take her aboard a scow called the Winnio, but was ordered off and ho then went aboard the Albatross close by. Tho woman, attempting to. follow, fell between the scow and the wharf ; Witness, leaned over the sido and seized her wrist and tried to drag her out, but could not do so. No help was forthcoming, so he let her go and wont, below, but failed to rouse Christiansen (hie mate) from a drunken sleop. He had a drink of beer and 'himself turned in. Tho witness was severely handled in tho police examination and declared that ho could nob account for the fact that the woman had money clasped in her hand when she was taken' from t'lie water. Ho was drunk or would not have acted as he /lid. Tlio inquest was adjourned until tomorrow.