INQUEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1924, Page 2

INQUEST.

The inquest on the death of Joseph James Broeklohiirst was held at Ngaherc at 2 p.m. yesterday, before Mr \V. Meldrum, S.M.

Souier-Svrgeanl P. J. Mc( artliv ton dueled the inquest on beliall ol tie Police.

Flfideiioo was given to tlie ehe, t I hat deceased had left the survey, camp situated about ball a mile lmm the Ngaherc Railway Station at u'lml 7 n.m. on Saturday for Xgaliore. He arianged io stay at the Xgaliere Ho tel. anil -laved ai'nitml the lowcs'op until 1 a. III. lie was la-t m-cii :o 'he Ngaherc Hotel in the company of I Heads at this hour, and it was | resumed that when he left their • imli;iiiv Hull lie had gone to bed. i here was everv reason to believe ,n*tl UrocKleliurst was in a normal state of mind when last seen.

Apparently llrocklelmrst . cluing '1 bis mind and decided to go Inc camp. He was not seen again until bis. body was discovered bv '■ yotiili named George Gibson, in tin* Ogd ci the creek.

Dr Little said that lie dose’v <vailliued (lie body and lound no iuaik> of violence, the only injury icing cn abrasion to the nose.

A verdict of death by drowning was returned by the coroner. Ibe most probable theory for deceased's death was that be bad sat- on the bridge to recover Irom the effect ol iripp: ig or the bridge, resulting in bis nils" bl< cd ing, and had accidentally fall, i i" The depth of water at the place v here he had fallen ill was 12 to 14 bet. Another theory was that he had been endeavouring to get down to tie- creek to wash the blood off his Inc*, "ben t!u» accident occurred.