Wl TOKOMOANA’S DEATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2055, 5 December 1907, Page 2

Wl TOKOMOANA’S DEATH.

VEEHDICT OF “FOUND DROWNED.” At the Driitisli Empire Hotel yesterday afternoon an inquest was held on the body of- Wi Tokomoana, whose body was found in the Taru•licru River on Tuesday night. Mr. J. W. Bright, J.P., acted as Coroner. The following jury was empanelled:—D. If. De Costa (foreman), li. H. De Costa, Robert Bong, Thos. Lee, Edward Eaves, Henry McKay. Constable Irwin deposed that he recognised the body at the Morgue as that of Wi Tokomoana. Had examined the body, and had found no marks of violence. Had known deceased for some considerable time, and know he was subject to fits. Alfred Ernest Hicks, aged 10, said he was on the bank of the Taruheru River, near the Fire Brigade pump, at about 6.30 o’clock on Tuesday night. Saw a body hanging by the back of the coat to a post. The body hung head downwards. Reported the matter, and saw Die police remove the body. James Lang, aged 15, said he was at the rowing sheds between 6.15 and 6.30 on Tuesday evening. Hicks called out, “There is a body in the river.” Witness doubted the statement, and walked through the* mud to where the body was. Part of the face of deceased was in tlio water, only h,is ears and the back of Inis head being visible. It seemed that deceased had one arm round a post connected with the Fire Brigade pump. The water at the snot was just above his (witness’s) knees. Detective Maddern rtated that the police 'knew of a friend of deceased who had been with him on Tuesday, but this friend could not be foundSeveral jurymen expressed tile opinion that sufficient evidence had been adduced. After a short- retirement the jury brought in a verdict of “Found drowned.”