INQUEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1204, 5 February 1914, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest touching the death of Sidney Salmb-iry, aged years, who was drowned in the Manawatu river on Wedcesday, the 28th ultimo, through filling off the jetty, was held before the District Coroner, Mr A. Fraser, yesterday morning. The following evidence was taken : Isaac Cooksley, contractor for the erection of the jetty, stated that the deceased in company with another small boy was playing about at the jetty on the morning of Wednesday, January 28th. Witness heard the two boys run along the jetty towards the channel end and immediately afterwards the smaller boy came running back and said that deceased had fallen into the water. Witness looked and the boy was then about 130 yards from the jetty and appeared to be swimming. He ran to get a boat but there were no paddles and by the time these were procured the boy had disappeared. They rowed to the spot where the body sank but could find no trace of it. They afterwards picked up the lad’s cap. To the police : The jetty is much frequented by children playing about on it. Didn’t think a notice prohibiting children from playing oh it would have much effect. William Prew gave evidence as to finding the body on the river bank on the left hand side of the river, near Hartley’s bend. Frank Gay, step father of deceased, gave evidence as to the identification of the body, and also stated that the boy could not swim.

The Coroner returned a verdict ot accidental drowning.