DEATH BY DROWNING

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1409, 21 March 1905, Page 3

DEATH BY DROWNING

An inqnest was held before Mr W. A Barton, 3.M., Dietriat Coraner, yesterday’ concerning the death of .Frank Schmuok, drowned whilst bathing on the Waikanae beach. The following jury was ompan-. aallod Messrs G. F. Hondorson (foreman, J. Hackott, F. Miller, H. McKay, 3. Batcliffe and F. Reynolds. Sergeant McKenzie, who represented the Police, stated that one witness, Mr Kellaher, was too ill to attend. The evi* dence given boro out the Times* report of yesterday. Ernest Edward Hunter said bo had come to Gisborno with deceased about nine days ago. This was the first ocoasion on which they had gone for a swim together on the boaoh. Deceased wont in first about 50 yards-in front of Kellaher, Boss and witness goiDg in . together about 100 yards behind the others. They all wont beyond the breakers. Deceased went the farthest, and Kellaher next, while P.os3 and witness wore nearer the Bhore. Kellaher made for the land first, and had much trouble in getting back. Boss and witness landed together, and he, Hunter, had no difficulty. Thoro was a strong drawback to ,the sea. They were in about 15 minutes. They could not see each othor all the time they were in the water as they rose and fell with the high waves, although ho would

Dot call it rough. “ When wo landed,” continued the witno as, “ Kollahor said, * Where’s Frank ? ’ Ho had got ashore about five minutes beforo us. I pointed up the beach to a man and said, * There he is.' . I had mistoken another man for him.” ' “ That is not Frank,” replied Kellaher, bo has not come in.” « Then,” continued the witnoss Hunter, «i X looked around for him. Not beiDg able to see well from the beaoh I went up to higher ground, but could see no sign of bim.” Sergeant McKenzie : Did you make any further search ? ■ Witness (sadly) : No, we were helpless. Sergeant McKenzie: You then reported the matter to the police? Witness : Yes. Continuing, witness said that he estimated that he was in a depth of 20ft of water. f The Coroner*-: How can you form that opinion ? Witness : Because I had been diving. Mr McKay (juror) : In your opinion was the deceased a strong swimmer 2 •y.- Witness : No. only fair. ' Better than you ?

Witnoss : No, sir. What was tho state of the tide ? Witness : Almost low tide. '4' Do yon consider it a dangerous point to bathe in ? Witntfss : No.

Mr McKay r'Safe for an ordinary swimmer? ~p. Witness: I should say it is not dangerous. ;. Frank Roes deposed that he had heard the evidence of the previous witness, and that it was correot in all essential points ; , but on one point, on which be might not be 'ift r jght, and which was a matter of opinion, he differed with the witness. The Ooronor.- On what point, Mr Ross ? Witness : I think the spot is very donS gorous for bathing. I have bathed about the same place on three or four occasions. V I had groat difficulty in getting ashoro on ; V Sunday. Mr McKay: Had the deceased boon at any .time previously bathing in your ■ B company about the same spot ? Witness: sbs, on one ocoasion. Mr McKay: How do you account for it being a dangerbus spot ? Witness : It is dangerous when the tide « is going oat. I found myself out of my depth almost at once, and there is a strong haol vth whon the tide is going out. j, >ly to Sorgeant MoKenzie witness votoh had been kept on the beaoh „ , JfjSvxbe body was found. <GU Befiry Butt orworth gave evidence as to jho finding of tho body, and Constable Dell also gave formal evidence. ■ ... . Hia Worship eaid thero was no need for • comment on the evidence. The jury ;• should have no trouble in arriving at a r verdict. The jury at once returned a verdict of I s I accidentally drowned whilst bathing . >„■ on the Waikabae Beach. V ; L Tho Coroner: I quite agree with tha: ■"- «■ gentlemen.'" ■ . ' :