THE DROWNING OF FATHER COLOMB.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 940, 1 August 1871, Page 2

THE DROWNING OF FATHER COLOMB.

THE INQUEST. An inquest on the remains of the late Father Colonib was held at the Town Hall, Greymouth, yesterday, before Caleb Whitefoord, Esq., R.M. After the Jury had viewed the body, the following evidence was taken : — James Hickson : I am Sub-Inspector of Police stationed at Greymouth. I have seen the body viewed by the jury ; it is that of John Baptiste Colornb. He was a Roman Catholic clergyman, aud the superior at this station. 1 have known him over twelve months in Greymouth. He was 44 years of age, and he was a native of France. Arthur Robert Guinness : I am a barrister, residing in Greymouth. I knew the deceased, John Baptiste Colomb. T last saw him alive on Wednesday, the 26th of July, about three o'clock in the afternoon. I met him at the old Ahaura Ferry ; he had just crossed the ferry when I got there with Warden Whitefoord. There was a very heavy fresh in the river on that day. I had crossed Nelson Creek about half an hour previously. I spoke to the deceased, who seemed to be in a great hurry to get down. I and Mr Whitefoord mentioned to the deceased how to cross the Nelson Creek ford, and advised him to call out at the next ford to be shown the way. The ford at Nelson Creek has altered lately, and at the lower end there is a sort of gut cut away. On tho day in question, when crossing, it was very high, and to cross by the gut would have been very dangerous. Joshua Slack : lam the ferryman at Nelson Creek. I was there on Wednesday, the 26th July. I saw the deceased coming up to the ford, at Nelson Creek, about four o'clock in the afternoon of that d«y. Deceased was on the Ahaura sido of the ferry ; he kep' down the ford. There was a fresh in the creek, and I saw deceased was about to cross at a dangerous spot. I shouted to deceased, and threw up my / arms and hat to attract his attention. He i did not appear to notice me, but was lookin e ■"horse "get into the deep gut on "the ford. He was swept round towards tho Ahaura shore, and the deceased got up in a kneeling position on the saddle, holding the horse by the mane. The horse turned completely over. I saw his shoes in the air. The horse came up, and deceased seeraei to be holding round the neck of animal. I saw a coat-sleeve round the horse's neck. The horse went down a second time, and was under water for a few seconds. The horse came up again, and I then could see nothing of the rider. The horse was carried down the stream and tried to land, and then turned round and swam out on the Greymouth side of the river. I ran back to the township and gave the alarm. I could not get near the deceased during the time he was in the water, but I afterwards took down my boat to see if I could do anything. I never saw deceased again, until I saw the body with the jury. If the deceased had kept higher up the ford he could have crossed safely enough, though the creek was high. Ido not think deceased saw me. The ford is a good ford, even in flood time. Deceased was near the gut in the ford before I saw him. George O'Flynn : lama publican at Coal Creek. I went to the beach on the Cobden side of the Grey River yesterday (Sunday, 30th July), about half-past two in the afternoon. I saw the body of the deceased being taken out of the surf. I searched the body of deceased, and gave the articles found to Mr Mirfin, who took 'charge of them. There was a bunch of keys, a silver watch and chain, a pair of spectacles, a locket, a scapulet, a purse with half a sovereign in it and some notes and papers, and a pencil-case. A chalice cup was also in his pocket, which was given to Mr Mirfin. Deceased had all his clothes on. I knew the body immediately. It was that of the Rev. Father Colomb. William Craven Mirfin : I am the overseer of works for the Nelson Government, and remember being at the beach on Sunday, 30th July. I saw the body of deceased lying on the beach, apparently just brought out of the water. I knew at once it was the body of the Rev. Father Oolomb. I received the articles found on the body from the last witness. I made a list at the time, and gave a copy to Mr Glennon, who was present, and saw what was found. (Witness enumerated the articles found.) I observed the watch had stopped at a quarter past four. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death."