INQUEST ON THE SHOTOVER.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 28, 5 August 1863, Page 3

INQUEST ON THE SHOTOVER.

An inquest was held at the Big Beach, on Friday last, before Richmond Beetham Esq., on a body found in the Shotover River. Wm. Fen said he was a storekeeper residing at Skipper's Gully, and recognized deceased as his mate, named Joseph Barston. Saw him last alive about three weeks ago at Skipper's. Witness left Qupenstown about a fortnight back, and when he arrived at Skipper's, heard that his mate had been drowned, having slipped off a log while in the act of crossing the river. Did not know whether any of the parties who saw him drowned were present. Deceased was a native of Yorkshire. He came from Victoria but could not say whether he came direct to this district. Thomas Townsend said he was a miner residing at the Long Beach. ' On Wednesday evening, about half an hour before dark, he was walking on the beach, and saw what he thought to be the body of a man. Informed his mate, and they ascertained that such was the case. Deceased was lying partly in the sand and water, with his head down the stream. Got him out with some assistance, took him up to the Shotover Hotel, and there reported the matter to the police. By the Jury—The body of the deceased was not searched in my presence. Wm. Nicholson, storekeeper, residing at the Big Beach, said that on Wednesday evening he heard that the body of a man had been discovered lying on the beach. Went down to where he was. Could see his breast out of the water. He was lying on his back, with his head down stream. Assisted to get him out. By the Jury—We did not search the body. The pockett of his trousers were turned inside out when we took him out of the river. Will speak positively as to that. Found no other pockets than those of his trousers. He had no belt on at the time. Both pockets were full of sand. I put the pockets back inside the waistband.

Patrick Fleming stated that he gave information of the body being found to the constable stationed at Arthur's Point. Came down to the Big Beach on Thursday morning and found the body lying in the Shotover Hotel. Called to two or three men and a constable, and searched the body, but found no property on him. The following verdict was returned by the Jury:—That the disceased, Joseph Barston was found drowned on the Big Beach, Shotover River, on the evening of Wednesday, the 29th inst.; but that there is no evidence before the Jury to shew by what means he met his death."