INQUEST AT WOODEND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1516, 26 December 1878, Page 3

INQUEST AT WOODEND.

On Tuesday an inquest touching tho death of G. Ivens, a farmer, who had lived at Woodend, was held at Conway's White Crane Hotel, before Dr. Dudley, coroner, and a jury, of which Mr H. Hinge was chosen foreman. The jury having viewed the body, which was enveloped in a sheet, the following evidence was taken : John Beharrell, farmer, Kaiapoi, deposed— I knew tho deceased, Geo. Ivens, whose body the jury have just viewed. His age was fortyseven. I found the body at 815 yesterday in the lagoon at Mr Ivens' farm, near the Ashley. Mr A. Barnes was aleo present when the body was found. Tho body seemed to have been dead for two or three days or more. The body was not on the surface at 6 o'clock, but just after 8 o'clock it had begun to float in 6ft. Gin. of water. With Mr Barnes's assistance, I removed the body. Did not notice any marks iof injury about tho body, except what was apparently an eel bite above the right eye, and slight marks on tho right hand, which latter might have been inflicted by the bite of a dog. We remained with the body till the police came. When first I arrived I found a saddle and bridle lying at the gate of tho paddock. About four yards from them lay the body of a dog, with its throat badly cut, and very much decomposed. I was with Mr Bramley when he found another dog, with its throat cut and in the same state, near tho edge of the lagoon, and fifteen yards from the firßt dog. There was a horse in tho paddock, which I know belonged to deceased. I also recognised both dogs as the property of tho deceased. He had never expressed, to my knowledge/, any intention to commit suicide.

Mounted Constable Ludford deposed—At 10.50 on yesterday evening I was on the way to Woodend, when Mr Bramley informed mo that the body of the deceased had been found. I proceeded to the spot and examined the body, which was lying on the bank of the lagoon. The body was fully dressed, and the clothes did not appear to have been displaced. He was in his ordinary dress. I examined the body to see if there were any marks of violence, but found none. There was a mark above the right eye as of the bite of an eel, also a wound on the right hand, which appeared to be from the bite of a dog. Neither of these wounds, in my opinion, would have caused death. I searched the body and found a pocket book, a sovereign, sixpence, handkerchief, and sundry articles; also a pocket knife, The knife had a little blood and some hair, resembling dog's hair, on it. I had the body removed to the White Crane Hotel, Woodend, awaiting the inquest. My opinion is that deceased came to his death by drowning. There was no appearance of there having been any scuttle at the spot, where there were somo traces of some one having walked into the water. His hat has not been found.

John Bailey, farmer, Woodend, deposed— I have known deceased sixteen or seventeen years, and have boen employed by him. For three weeks past ho has appeared low in spirits. I have not seen him the worse for drink. He told mo on last Sunday week, a few days before leaving homo, that if ever he was missing I should know where to find him at the back of the old willow, near the old garden, in the lagoon. I thought this was only wild talk, and did not attach importance to it. I saw him last on last Tuesday. He also said some three weeks ago, " Wherever you will find my dog, with its throat cut, you will find me not far away." William Thomas, laborer, Leithfield, deposed—l have known the deceased six or seven years. On Wednesday last ho was with me at Leithfield, about an hour and a half. Ho loft at 5 p.m. Ho was very quiet and reserved, and made no particular remark. He was quite sober, and appeared much as usual. He came and went on horseback, and had two dogs with him. He never expressed any intention to do away with himself. He said he had called at the Rev. H. Or. Gould's, and intended to return home. He went away in that direction.

Aaron Bramley, millwright, Woodond, deposed—The deceased's wife informed me the deceased had left home on tho 18th between 10 and 11 a.m. On Friday, in consequence of his non-return, at Mrs Ivens' request I sent my son to Sefton, Amberloy,and other places. He traced him to Leithfield, where he found that deceased had oalled at the Rev. H. G-. Gould's, and appeared to be disappointed in not finding that gentleman at home. Tho coroner reviewed the evidence, pointing out that if there was no evidence to the jury's mind, as there was none to his, to shew how deceased had been drowned, an open verdict of found drowned might bo returned, but if on the supposition that deceased bad carried into execution jthe words used to the witness Bailey, they might probably conclude that, during a fit of temporary depression, he had committed suicide.

Messrs Doggett and Ran by, two jurors, asked if there was any belter evidence which could bo brought forward in reference to the deceased leaving home. The coroner said he was informod the widow was not able to attend, and as she was said not to have seen him leave the house, it was not necessary to call her. Further, she could not, if she was there, explain how ho came to his death. The jury then returned a verdict of " Found drowned, there being no evidence to show in what manner deceased was drowned."