INQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1064, 15 February 1913, Page 4

INQUEST.

An inquest in connection with the death of Gordon McEwan, who was found drowned on Wednesday, was held before Mr Alf. Fraser, District Qqrpner, on Thursday afternoon, when the following evidence was taken: — Percy Daniell, river launch proprietor, Manawatu Heads, stated that he knew the deceased, Gordon McEwan, and last sau him at about xi.3o o’clock on Saturday night at the wharf steps, as taljdng |o foitn for something over two hours. The deceased then appeared in his usual spirits. There was nothing in his conversation to in any way lead one to think he was likely to commit suicide. When witness and deceased parted, h? appeared to \yalfe past the gppdshed, which would lead him to the railway station. Witness went to the Family Hotel, where he stayed that night. Percy Eumsden deposed that he knew deceased, who had boarded at bis hotel for sixteen days, Saw the body on Wednesday morning, and identified it as that of Gordon McEwan. Deceased appeared to have been somewhat downhearted of late. Understood that he was short of money, Charles Aleck Natusch, architect, of Palmerston North, said that the deceased was an accountant by profession, and was about 56 years qf age. Witness always understood that be was a single man. Deceased had stated that be bad no relatives in the Dominion. He had been employed by witness’ firm, and on their recommendation as clerk of works in ponton, but was not In their employ at the time of his death, having finished some five or six weeks previous. Maurice Sweeney gave evidence as to the finding of the body, which he identified as that of deceased, Gordon McEwan. The body was lying face downwards, and appeared to have been fp the water for several days, Upon searching the body, he found a watch, which had stopped at 12.15 o’clock. He had the body removed to the morgue. There was a bruise on the right side of the forehead, which may have been caused by * fs}J, The Qbroner returned a verdict that the deceased;. Gordon McEwan, met his death by drowning In the Manawatu River on February Blh, 1913. Mr Natusch mentioned that the deceased could not see at all wqll at night, sod ff wore walking on the wharf in the dark the probability was that he tripped and fell.

The Coroner said there no the death of deceased was anything but accidental.