LITTLE BOY DROWNED

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 February 1916, Page 2

LITTLE BOY DROWNED

INQUEST An inquest was held on Saturday last, 12th inst., on the bcdy of Norman Morris Cooper, aged 7 years and 9 months. Deceased was the son of Mr Thomas Morris Cooper, engine driver N.Z.R., of Helen&ville. From the evidence adduced *.t appears that deceased after returning from school on Friday, 11th inst., went to the railway wharf to fish, when a big eel got on his line, and in trying to land it, the lad overbalanced and fell into the river. Unfortunately the fatality occurred at dinner-time, and there was nobody about the wharf or railway station at the time he fell in. A younger prother was present and saw the accident, ran away home (not far distant) and told his mother that a big fat eel had dragged Norman into the water and he had gone to sleep there. Deceased's body was recovered twenty minutes later. Artificial respiration was resorted to by Dr. Meinhold, Constable Driscoll, and Mr E. Smith, but without avail. The inquest was conducted by Mr W. E. Fosbroke, J.P., (Acting-Coroner), and a jury of six, of whom Mr H. Graham was chosen foreman. A verdict was give of accidental death by drowning. Deceased was interred in the Helensville cemetery on Sunday afternoon. The funeral was a large and representative one, the parents being well-known and highly respected; the school children mustered strong. Mr J. E. Woodhouse (late* C.E. layreader and stationmaster here) was telegraphed to Auckland for, but happening to be on a visit to Taumarunui, that gentleman managed to arrive by Saturday nights-train, thus being in'good time to conduct the burial service. The vicar, Mr Merton, was away isi the Far North at the time.