DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1367, 27 February 1915, Page 3

DROWNING FATALITY.

YOUNG MAX LOSES HIS LIFE.

A sad drowning fatality occurred in the Manawaht River, near Mr Gibbs’ Maitai Mill, Moutoa. last evening, when a ilaxmi!! employee, named Robert Charles Saunders, lost bis life. Full details of the fatality were set forth .at the inquest, held in the Court House this afternoon, before Mr Air. Fraser, District Coroner,

■JTC. W. Hansmann, manager of the Maitai flaxmi'd, in evidence, staled that he was on the Mauawalu river bank, near the mill, last evening, at 8 o'clock, and saw Mrs Roberts in a boat, which was drifting down the river. Mrs Roberts could not manage the boat, and became hysterical. Deceased was alongside witness, and the former volunteered to swim out and secure the boat. Deceased informed witness that be was a good swimmer. Deceased waded out and then commenced !o swim. When about three yards from tire boat deceased called out •or help, and immediately sank, lorns came in answer to witness’ cal! for help. Toms waded out, but could not dive for deceased on account of snags in the river and the growing darkness. Witness then communicated the fatality to the police, per telephone, through Mr Gibbs. Together with others, witness dragged the locality for the body up till about 11 p.m. Deceased had been working at the mill for about six months. Deceased would be about 26 years of age, and single, and had no relatives in the Dominion.

Constable Woods, in charge of the Foxton police district, stated that he received information concerning the drowning fatality about 9 o’clock last night. Proceeded to the locality at daylight this morning, and after dragging the river, recovered the body at about 7.15. Had known deceased for about two years. Searched his property, and discovered the address of bis relatives in London, {'here is about a week’s wages coming to him. No money was found in his personal effects. This concluded the evidence, and the Coroner returned a verdict that deceased accidentally met bis death by drowning in the Mauawatn River on the date mentioned.

The funeral of deceased will leave the Family Hotel for the Foxton cemetery at 2.30 p.ra. tomorrow (Sunday). Deceased’s fellow employees have generously decided to meet all expenses in connection with the burial also to erect a memorial.