Death of Mr J. E. Hayes.

Manawatu Herald, 6 August 1896, Page 3

Death of Mr J. E. Hayes.

Early on Tuesday morning Constable Murphy fouiid the hat, coat, boots, and walkingstick of Mr J. E.

Hayes, the well-known Wellington plumber, on the keel of an upturned boat lying on the skids in front of the "Wellington Navals' boatshed, Jervois-quay.

A search wa3 at once made, and the body of the unfortunate man was found floating under the stringers at the east end ot Jervoi3-quay, his trousers being rolled up to bis knees. The deceased had been in the habit of going down to the boatshed every evening ior the last 18 months in order to bathe his feet and ankle?, as he had sprained his ankle joint, and rheumatic attacks had set in.

Mr Hayes often stated that bathing his foot in the cold sea water was the only thing that gave him any relief, and it is supposed that he took off his coat, hat, and boots, and was walking dowa the slippery staging when he slipped and fell into the water*

For some time past Mr Hayes has been in a delicate state of health, and has been suffering from extreme weakness. It is supposed that having been impeded by his clothes he was unable to regain the staging, and that the extreme coldness of the water benumbed him and took away hu breath, preventing him from calling for assistance. Mr Hayes was an old and wellrespected citizen of Wellington » and has carried on an old-established business on . Lambtonqaay. The greatest sympathy is expressed with bis widow and iamily in their bereavement.— Post.