DROWING FATULITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3723, 17 November 1906, Page 3

DROWING FATULITY.

An inquest touching the death of Ralph Patrick Hynes, the four-year-old son of Mr Joseph Roger Hayes, who was drowned at the •Okuku flaxmill, Moutoa, yesterday afternoon was held in the Courthouse this afternoon at 2 o’clock before Alf. Fraser Esq, J.P. and the following jury Messrs Hamer (foreman), John Frew, E. Sutherland, W. Osboldstone, A. E. Shadbolt, and Fred Hatfield. After viewing the body the following evidence was taken : Mr Hynes, employed at Mr Mr Ross’s flaxmill at Moutoa and father of the child, deposed that at 3 30 p.m. yesterday the deceased came to witness and asked for some lunch. The little fellow then went outside. Warned him not to go near the horse. Witness then went back to the mill and was talking there for about 5 minutes. Came outside and noticed the child had gone away, looked round the mill but could not find him Then . walked along the river bank and , saw his cap floating on the water. Picked the cap up and went into the mill and informed Mr Rose that his (witness’) boy was drowned, Mr Rose went to the river and witness went for assistance. When witness returned Mr Rose had the boy. Carried the child alongside the mill. Tried artificial respiration but without restoring life. The mill is situated on the bank of the river. The boy was often at the mill. Hadn’t any idea how he fell into the water, may possibly have slipped off the bank. Thought it was his duty to get assistance before looking for the body of the child. John Rose, mill owner, gave evidence as to finding the body of the deceased child. It was lying beneath some vegetation. Reached out with a stick and managed to bring it to the bank. Tried for • about an hour aad a half to restore Hie, The child was very nervous. The water was ten or twelve feet deep where the body was found. There was slight marks on the nose and left ear.

j| fcThe jury returned the following verdict: “ That deceased met his death by drowning in the Manawatu river on Friday Nov. 16th, but there is no evidence to show how he eot into the water.

The funeral will take place at 3.30 to-morrow.