Inquest.

Manawatu Herald, 17 May 1892, Page 2

Inquest.

An inquest was held at the Courthouse yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, before the Coroner, Mr E. S. Thynne, touching the death of Peta Tatana, who was drowned in a lake near Foxton on Saturday last.

The following jury wer.e empannelled : — Messrs T. P. Williams (foreman), H. T.. McCloskey, W. B. Bhodes, F. R. Young, D. Ross, and E. C. Lansdon.

After having viewed the body the following evidence was taken : —

Henry William Bobinson, being sworn, saith — I am a manager of a flaxmill in Foxton ; I have seen the body of the deceased ; I last saw him alive about 10 o'clock on Saturday last on the back of Robinson's run, called Wakapuna lake ; we were together out shooting ; the deceased went into a canoe on the lake to take a short cut across it ; when he had got part of the way out he met some heavy breakers and the canoe appeared to fill with water ; the deceased tried to paddle the c&noe back but the wind was too high to allow him to do so ; he jumped out of the canoe and attempted to swim to the shore, and about fifty yards from the shore he held out his right hand and called to me for help ; I ran in up to my waist, but finding the water too deep I returned to shore to undress, and looking round saw him sink from sight ; I then made a mark on the shore to show the direction of the body and then came into Foxton and reported the matter to the police ; the deceased was fully dressed with the exception of his boots, and had some cartridges also upon him ; I have heard that he was a good swimmer ; I went out with the constable to find the body and saw it | recovered ; Charles Hawkins and a native boy " Jerry " were there with us when the accident happened ; the deceased's parents live at Porouta» i whao.

By the constable— l can swim about twenty yards with my clothes off, but cannot dive ; the day wan one of the roughest we have had for some time,

Charles Hawkins, being sworn, saith — I know the deceased ; I saw liiui go into a canoe to take a short out across the lake to meet me on the other side ; I saw the deceased afterwards in the water swimming and the canoe away from him ; the oanoo appeared nearly full of water ; the deceased was swimming back to the point he had left in the canoe ; I ran round to help, but before I got up I saw him sink; he was fully, dressed with the ' exoeption of his boots ; I went into town with the last witness.

By the constable — - The canoe started from the west side whioh would be with the wind, and the deceased endeavoured to return against the wind ; I can swim ; I was 800 or 400 yards away when deceased went down.

Martin Collins, a native, being sworn, saith I live on the other side of the river ; 1 was out shooting on Saturday with the two last witnesses and the deceased ; I saw the deceased enter a canoe and paddle out, and after, a time he appeared to get frightened and jumped out ; I saw him go down under water ; I can swim well ; I was too far away to go to his help. Napier Terau, being sworn, saith — I know the decased, he is a cousin of mine ; his father's name is Tatana Whataupoko and his mother's name is Mihipeka Tatana, they live at Poroutawhao ; I think the deceased is about fiiteen years old ; he could swim well

John Gillespie, being sworn, saith — I am district constable stationed at Foxton ; on Saturday Henry Robinson, one of the last witnesses, reported that a native boy had been drowned on one of the lakes on Robinsons' run ; procured a boat and* went to the lake with Robinson, Peterson and a lad flamed Cole ; Robinson pointed out the spot where he saw the deceased go down, and aftei dragging a few minutes we iecovered the body ; he was fully dressed with the exception of his boots and socks and hat; had the body conveyed to Cawston's Hotel and there searched it ; in his vest pocket found a watch and chain, in his ti'ousers pocket an empty purse, and in his coat pocket he had 23 loaded cartridges ; it was a very rough day, a heavy gale blowing; the lake was so rough that we almost had to give up the search as we could hardly manage the boat ; the depth of water where we recovered the body would be about nine or ten feet, anA about BO yurHa from tb«

shore ; saw nothing of the oanoe. The jury immediately returned a verdict of " accidentally drowned."