LATE DROWNING CASE AT RAGLAN.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2688, 18 November 1882, Page 3

LATE DROWNING CASE AT RAGLAN.

The ‘'Waikato Times ” of the 11th says : —The circumstances surrounding the late unfortunate drowning accident near Raglan are as follow :—The deceased, A. B. Pearson, brother of Mr W. P. Pearson, M.H.R. for Ashley, left the Te Akau station about noon on Sunday, November sth, on horseback, for Waitetuna, for the purpose of meeting some cattle coming from Waikato. On arrival at the Kauri crossing, which runs across an arm of the harbor, the deceased cooeyed for the Natives living on the opposite bank, who ferry passengers back and forward in a canoe. His call not being responded to, the Natives being from home, he took in hand to swim his horse across. The horse, on getting into deep water, began plunging about, and succeeded in unseating its rider, who struck out for the opposite bank. Before going far, the boy, who was sent from the station to show Mr Pearson the crossing, says that ho threw up his arms and sank out of sight. The crossing where the accident occurred is not more than about half a chain across, and the water at the time was about 10ft or lift deep. The circumstance was immediately maide known by the boy, who had come with the deceased as far as the crossing, and before long a dragging party was at -work searching for the body. They dragged until twelve at night, and the 3 water rising, they were obliged to knock off until morning. At daylight search was continued, and about 9 a.m, the body was found close to where it had disappeared. It was immediately conveyed by the police to Raglan, where an inquest w T as held before Mr W. H. Wallis, deputy-coroner. After hearing the evidence the following verdict was returned ; —“ That deceased, A. B. Pearson, met his death by accidental drowning while attempting to cross the Kauri crossing on horseback.” A rider was added to the effect that the attention of the Raglan Harbour Board should be drawn to the desirability of having a wire rope, with > a canoe, placed at the Kauri crossing for the convenience of travellers. The sad occurrence had a great effect upon the minds of the settlers in the district, among whom he was well and popularly known, notwithstanding his recent arrival. The deceased was spending a few mouths with Mr Brottargh on the Te Akau station, having but recently come up from the South, at the time he met his death. At the desire of his friends the body was conveyed to Rangiora yesterday for interment in the Church of England Cemetery. The body was met at the railway station by a largo party of deceased’s friends, and the funeral service was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley and Rev. J. Sheldon.