THE INQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 5 August 1909, Page 2

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held Ixdore Alf, Fraser Esq., District Coroner, this morning; The following evidence was taken, John McCartney, fireman on s.s. Moa deposed that at about 9.45 o’clock last night, he left the Post Office Hotel in company with the deceased. Proceeded down Wharf Street towards the boat, but did not stop on the road. When they got to the gangway witness said “lam going on board now.” Deceased said “Alright, so am I.” Witness went up the gangway and was going aft to his quarters, when he heard a splash. He looked round and sang out to the mate, and went to deceased’s assistance, accompanied by the mate and Mr Clark, the first engineer. Witness and the other two got down on to the belting of the ship and the mate got hold of deceased who was in the water. They got him up on to the wharf with the assistance of two others. The doctor was then sent for and he arrived and tried to restore him. Witness was sober when he left the hotel. Had only had three drinks during the evening. Did not know how many drinks deceased had because witness was not in his company during the evening. To Constable Woods : Had one drink with deceased before tea in the Post Office Hotel. All hands returned to the ship to tea. On leaving the hotel witness was holding on to Louis. Before they got to railway crossing Louis said he was alright and witness let him go. Louis was staggering when he came out of the hotel and witness held on to him to steady him. From deceased’s appearance he had been drinking. After they left the railway crossing witness walked in front of deceased, he being immediately behind him. When witness was on top of gangway saw deceased getting on the bottom of the gangway. Immediately afterwards witness heard the splash. William Clarke, chief engineer of the s.s, Moa, stated that at about 9.30 p.m., he heard the mate call his name, and witness went and called the other fireman, William Higgins. Told him there was a man overboard and to bring a boat hook. Ran straight on to the wharf and got the mate to get a light. Saw deceased floating on the water between the ship and the wharf. They got a rope round the davit, the mate got down and witness told him to keep his head above the water. Then McArtney got down and helped the mate, and Higgins got the boat hook into his coat to hold him while the rope was being put round. They then hauled him up, with the assistance of the captain. They laid him on the wharf and witness went for the doctor.

To Constable Woods; Did not see deceased after he was paid off until he saw him in the water. There was no sign of life when deceased was got up to the wharf. Arthur Ernest Burton, master of the s.s. Moa, deposed that the deceased Michael Dewis was employed on the s.s. Moa as an a.b. He was paid his wages at about 3 p.m. at the same time as the rest of the crew. His wages amounted to 16s 3d. Deceased worked until 5 p.m. The last time witness saw him alive was at about 5.5 p.m., when he was walking towards town. At about xo p.m. in company with others was walking along the wharf. When they got abreast of the Wirau heard some one shout out “man overboard” and they ran along the wharf towards the point where the sound came from. They had a rope round deceased and witness assisted the others to pull him up on to the wharf. To Constable Woods: Have known deceased for 15 or 16 years. Had been on the Moa for about two months. He was 49 years of age. Could not say whether he was married or single. Knew of no relatives of his. Deceased had been off the liquor this last five or six months, but drink was one of his failings.

Dr Mandl stated that between 9.30 and 10 o’clock last night he was called, and found the man lying on the wharf. He had evidently been in the water and was apparently lifeless. The usual means of resuscitation were adopted, but without avail. Acting on instructions from the Coroner, a post mortem was Sitbsequenely held, and he found as follows : The body was well 4e-„ veloped ; there were two abrasions on the forehead, which were evidently recent; there were no other marks of injury, external. From the internal examination he was of opinion that the deceased met his death by drowning.

Constable Woods stated that he was called at 10.30 last night, to the Foxton wharf, and saw the body of deceased lying on the wharf. Removed the body to the morgue, and found a £1 note and ns 6d in silver. Have made enquiries and cannot find any trace of deceased’s relatives in the Do- - minion. The Coroner found that the deceased Michael Lewis met hisj death accidentally by whilst under the influence of liquor. ■ rfMk