DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1738, 17 July 1917, Page 3

DROWNING FATALITY.

MAN FALLS OYER WHARF. At about half-past three on Saturday afternoon, whilst Mr J. Dunn, railway porter, in the course of his duties, was walking along the wharf, he heard a splash, and on looking back, saw a man struggling in the water. He immediately obtained a life-buoy and threw it to the man, but he made no attempt to get it, and threw up his arms and sank immediately, and did not reappear. In Mr Dunn's opinion the man was dead before he sank. The police were sent fox’, and dragging was commenced, the body being recovered about an hour later. The body was identified as that of Joseph McKay, a man of 38 years of age, who had been working at the flaxmills in the Manawatu district for the past six years. Deceased was a married man with one child. He was on the staff of the Bank of New South Wales at Wanganui some years ago, and was a wellknown representative footballer and athlete. His relatives reside at Greymouth, and the body was taken there for burial. THE INQUEST. An inquest was held before Mr All:'. Fraser, District Cox’onei’, yesterday morning, when the following evidence was taken: — James E. F. Dunn, railway porter, stated that about half-past three on Saturday afternoon he was walking along the wharf when he heard a splash, and on looking over saw a man struggling in the water. He ran and got a life-belt, and threw it over the man's head, lie made no attempt to get hold of it, and made no movement at all, but sank and did not rise again. The police were sent for, and dragging commenced, and the body was recovered about half-past four. He did not know the man. Robert Hugh Beveridge stated that deceased had been slaying in his hotel four days. Ho usually stayed there Avhen in Fox (on. Tie was last working for Mr IT. Berry. On Friday afternoon deceased complained of not being able to sleep, and witness procured a sleeping draught from Mr Healey, and gave it to him himself. lie fold-witness on Saturday morning that he felt much belter, and that he had had a fair night’s rest. He had a hearty breakfast, and also a good dinner. Ho last saw him alive about 2 o’eloek, when ‘lie was talking with some men on the footpath. Deceased was not a heavy drinker, and had not been in a slate of intoxication while in his house. Joseph Fa aider Irving, railway Slovenian, knew deceased well. He heard on Friday afternoon that ho was not well, and went to see him at the Post Office Hotel. He complained of being unable to sleep, lie was quite rational in his conversation. Witness was present when the body was recovered, and identified it. Deceased was a married man with one child, and when witness last heard of his wife she was living in Palmerston North. Constable Woods stall'd that he knew tlie deceased, and was talking to him in Main Street about three o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Witness thought he looked queer, and asked him what was the matter. Deceased said he felt “rotten,’’ and would like a drink. 'Witness gave him a drink of water from the tank at Iho rear of the court house, and he then went down Main Street. .In witness' opinion deceased had been drinking rather-heavily lately. At half-past three witness was called to the wharf, and commenced dragging. The body was recovered about an hour later. There were no marks on the body, which was removed to the morgue. The Coroner returned a verdict that tiie deceased met his death hy drowning, but that there was no evidence to show how he got into the water.