SURF DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1922, Page 4

SURF DISASTER.

INQUEST ON (TWO BODIES FOUNQ

ADJOURNED SINE DIE. (Argus.) Yesterday the two bodies of victims' of the recent surfing disaster, whiqh came ashore on Wednesday were iden-' tilted. Oiie was that of Harry Evans, 1 Reefton, and the other that of Lej>.‘ O’Domiell (Cronadun). Owing to tlje' heads being decomposed, facial identication was impossible, but other parts of the bodies were in a good state' and enabled identification to be established. Several Reefton residents, ip- 1 eluding Mr Hart, Mr and Mrs Wilsoti, - „r T. O’Donnell, and Miss K. CUT 1 cell, relatives of tho victims, travelled' to Greymouth yesterday morning to' assist in identification. The costume and physical build of one body enabled Mr O’Donnell to identify it as that of bis son. The stature and shape of the toes of the other body enabled it to be identified as that of Harry Evans. Deceased’s father arrived here yesterday. The police have continued vigilantly their search on .the beaches for the other four bodies, those of Frank Hart, Arthur Hutchings, George Wilson and Robert Duffy. To-day being the ninth since the tragedy is expected to see ajll four turn up. THE INQUEST. Yesterday an inquest into the death ~*• Leslie O’Donnell was held at the Magistrate’s Court, the court consisting of Mr F. 11. [vilgour, J.P. acting(oroner) and a jury of four— Messrs A. Naylor (foreman), E. G. Ashby, W. Kvle and J. Walker.

Sergeant Fryer, who appeared for the police, said that one body had been definitely identified as that of Leslie O’Donnell. The identity of the other body had been practically established as that of Harry Evans, but they were awaiting the arrival of a Reefton resident to finally establish it.

(Timothy O’Donnell, farmer, of .Cronadun, said that he had identified one of the bodies as that of his son, Leslie O’Donnell.

Constable Crowley, of Reefton, gave evidence of the finding ot the bod,\, which had the appearance of having been in the water some time. He knew the deceased, hut could not identify him. Timothy O’Donnell had identified the body, sfnd Kathleen 0 - Donnell, sister of deceased, had identified the bathing costume in which the deceased was attired as that which Les. O’Donnell had worn. The Coroner adjourned the inquest until definite evidence concerning the identity of the other deceased could he obtained. INQUEST RESUMED. When the inquest on the victims of the surf tragedy was resumed at 7.40 p.in.. the identification ot the body of Harry Evans was proceeded with. Willisi m Janies Javans, carpenter, Reefton, stated that he had viewed the body of his brother at the morgue. His brother’s full name was Henry David Evans, aged 35, a carpenter, residing at Reefton. John Crowley, Constable at Reefton, stated that at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, lk> was on patrol duty at Cobden beach when he was informed of a body floating just inside tho bar. Witness proceeded to the spot and had the body removed. At 7.30 p.m. on Thursday he was present when William Evans ientified the body of his brother.

Sergeant Fryer, on behalf of the police, asked for the inquest to lie adjourned sine die, ns there was a probability of other bodies being found. The Coroner then adjourned the inquest in accordance with the request.