THE RECENT DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1806, 26 March 1918, Page 2

THE RECENT DROWNING FATALITY.

BODY RECOVERED. The body of the late Mr W. Hamer jar., who was the victim of the drowning fatality in the Manawatu river on the night of Tuesday, March sth, was recovered on. Sunday evening. Messrs W. Neville and Hamo were pulling down, the*river, and when about two mile’s down, opposite Mr Pearce’s property, they saw the body floating down stream. They secured it, and informed the police, and it was later removed to the morgue, THE INQUEST. An inquest was held before Mr Alt'. Fraser, district coroner, yes- 1 terday afternoon, when the following evidence was taken: — Archibald McPherson, bank clerk, stated that at about 10.30 o’clock on the night of March sth he accompanied deceased across to his launch, which was anchored about 30 yards from the farther side of the river. “Witness got on the launch,, deceased remaining in the dinghy for ■ the purpose of picking ‘ up the anchor- of the launch. He went hand over hand along the anchor rope, and when about 30 yards from the launch the dinghy capsized. He did not see deceased again. Deceased did not call out when the boat capsized. Witness called for help, and Mr W. Andresen came on the scene a little later. They rowed down the river searching for deceased, and calling out, - but found no trace. Witness then' informed the police. There was a heavy flood running at the time. William Neville stated that oq Sunday evening, at about 5 o’clock he, in company with Hamo, was rowing down the river. When aboiit two miles down (hey saw a body, which (hey recognised as that of deceased, floating down stream. They secured it with a rope, and returned and informed the police. Constable O’Donoghue gave evidence as to removing the body to the morgue. * The Coroner returned a verdict of accidentally drowned.