THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Issue 3164, 10 April 1873, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

Taieri Ferry.— An inquest was held in this locality on the 4th inst., on the tody of a man named “Cill,” who was found drowned in the river lately. Mr J. P. Maitland, 11. M., presided as Coroner. From the evidence adduced, it appears that deceased had left the White Horse Hotel on Tuesday, at seven p.m., in company with one James Decan, for the purpose of proceeding to Waipori in a small boat. When they had proceeded a considerable way on their journey, deceased suddenly stood up in the boat, without giving Decan any previous warning of his intention to do so ; the consequence was the boat immediately upset, and the night being dark, Decan lost all trace of his companion, and only managed, after some little trouble, to reach the hanks of the river in safety himself. Search was made for the body of the unfortunate man, but without avail, till it was found by some men repairing the bridge, when it was at once placed in ihe big store next to the toll-bar. Little was known respecting deceased, beyond the fact that he was a native of Belfast, and that his parents arc in Victoria. Ho had been about three months employed on the railway, and was known as a strong active man. He might be about 30 years of age. After a short consultation, the Jury came to the unanimous conclusion that the deceased met his death by accidental drowning. The remains were interred in the Otakia cemetery the same afternoon.