DROWNING ACCIDENT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 26 August 1920, Page 3

DROWNING ACCIDENT.

AT HELENSVILLE WHARF

The Kaipara River claimed another victim on Saturday morning last, when Mr Carl Ziska, mate of the s.s. Ruawai, lost his life by drowning. From the particulars gathered it appears that deceased, on arrival of the vessel from Dargaville, was standing in the stern of the vessel preparatory to jumping ashore with a line to make fast. The vessel was manoeuvring into the wharf, and deceased must have misjudged the distance and fallen into the stream. No one on board noticed him go, and the first intimation that anything was amiss was received by Capt. Sellars, who got no answer when calling the mate to heave in.

Constable Hunt commenced dragging for the body on Saturday morning, and just before noon recovered it almost in midstream. Examination disclosed that the unfortunate man had been struck on the right side by a propellor blade, inflicting a fearful gash through almost half the body and making death practically instantaneous. The deceased's watch had stopped at 115 aim.

On Sunday morning an inquest was held before Mr F. Y. Fosbroke, acting coroner, and a jury. Medical evidence was given, and some half dozen other witnesses were called. Practically no evidence was forthcoming as to the actual happening, but representatives of the Kaipar Steamship Company and the Railway Department gave particulars as to the control of the wharf.

The jury returned a verdict in effect that deceased'rnet his death through falling from the Ruawai and being struck by the propellor blade, and added a rider that a night watchman should be appointed for Helensville wharf.

The funeral, which took place on Sunday afternoon was attended by a number of deceased mates, with whom he had always been deservedly popular.

The late Mr Carl Ziska, who was a Russian by birth, was a finely built man, about 35 years of age. He had been in the employ of the Kaipara S. S. Co. for a good number of years and was well known right up and down the Kaipara harbour. Deceased was a survivor of the barque Concordia which was cast ashore on the coast below the Kaipara Heads a good many years ago, and from there he made hid way to Helensville, getting employment as above stated.