MELANCHOLY CASE BY DROWNING.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 76, 3 October 1877, Page 2

MELANCHOLY CASE BY DROWNING.

e, . A very painful sensation wag created in Reefton ou Sunday evening, in consoquonco of n report that Mr H. Do Tourotto was missing from bis house, and had, it was supposod, been drowned in endeavouring to cross the Inangahua river on foot, somotima during Saturday nioht or rather Sunday morning. Inquiries wore at once instituted by tho police, and it was ascertained that several persons in Iho town had hoard " coooying " in the direction of the forry at about 1 o'clock on Sunday morning. A3 night closed in no tidings were obtained of the missing mau, aud tho very worst fears were entertained, Search parties were hurriedly organised, but the night being very dark' nothing could bo then done, and it was docidod to await daylight. Accordingly at daybreak, on Monday morning, tho search was commenced, when Mr P. Alexander picked up tho missing man's hat ou tho river bank, near the site of the bridge. Shortly afterwards, Mr P. Sf'fnerney and M> JollilFa discovered tho body in the river about 400 yards below tho bridge. An inquest was subsequently held upon tho body by E. Shaw, Esq., Coroner, when tho following additional facts were elicited :— Angu3 Campbell botelkooper, said : I know Henry Tourettos. Ou Saturday evening last ho wa3 in my house until about a quartcr*past twelve. Ho left in o-ood health. When he left my house he was perfectly able to take care of himself. Simon Adams. On Saturday night I was in company with an Italian and Mr de Tourottos, Wo all left shortly after niiduipjht. Mr do Tourettes crossed the street in tho direction of Tffohill's hotel with the intention, as I supposed, of going s

homo. He had no lantern with him that I saw. It was beginning to rain a little. To a juror : He was perfectly capable and sensible. Patrick M'lncrney : I am an hotclkeopcr, residing on the Grey Koad. About half-past seyen this morning I came down to the south bank of the river. I walked a few paces up the river, and saw a dark object below the surface of the water. It was about ten yards from the bank in almost still water. I directed Mr Jolhffe's attention to it. Ho went to tho spot, and found the body of tho - deceased. The water there waa between thrde and four feet. The deceased repeatedly forded the river when Pattinson had tho ferry. There was, I believe, a slight freshet in the river on Saturday night. He has lived on the river bank the whole time, and knew the crossing well. Thomas Jollifc : I got up at daylight this morning, and sonrched the river for tha deceased with a number of others. As I went down tho river, .Mr M'lnerney called my attention to a dark object in tho water. The body was partially eovercd with quartz tailings. John Jeffries . lam a polico constable stationed at Eccftou. The body shown to tho jury 13 tbat of Henry Do Tourctte, clerk, late of iveefton. In consequence of what I learnt, I started with a search pnrty at 5 a.m. I was on foot. About eight o'clock Mr Thomas Cavoll, rode up and said lhat the body had been found on the south bauk of the river. I went aud took charge of the body. I saw tho deceased shortly before twelve on Saturday night. He said he must go home, H3 the ferry did not work after midnight. Tho deceased'3 trousers wore turned up to th e calf the leg, as if he had prepared to wade. The river was rather high on Saturday night. The deceased has left a wife and six children. Owing to the bridge having been swept away, during tho past three months ho has occasionally remained in town. Ho would have to cross the Inaugahua to get home from Eeefton. The jury found a verdict of accidentally drowned, and added aa a rider, " That, in Iho opinion of the jury, tho County Council had been remiss in not having provided adequalo mcaus of cross* ing the loan^aliua River, at Rcefton, while tho Suspension Bridge was in course of construction."