FOUND DROWNED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2752, 1 July 1924, Page 3

FOUND DROWNED.

INQUEST ON THE LATE E. S

McBEAN

A coronial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of' Ernest Stuart Mcßean, whose body was found in the Manawatu River near Foxton on Thursday, ••■as-held at Palmerston North on Saturday, presided over by Mr A. J. Graham, Coroner. Air Hurley appeared for the Colonial Mutual Insurance Co. Dr. Bett stated in evidence that on Sunday, April 27, day of deceased’s disappearance, he examined hitlt v. lien he formed the opinion that the man was not sane. He had delusions. He told witness that, he had already been down to the river that morning. Upon being asked why he had done this, deceased had rather jocularly replied that lie had gone down to drown himself. Witness had suggested to the relatives that they should approach the police, with the idea of having deceased sent to Porirnn. The day was Sunday, and impracticable, hut the doctor had stated that it had better he done on Monday as the man was unfit to be at large. Witness understood that the deceased had had a war disability but 'could not say (hat the act was a result of shell-shock. Noble Desmond Clinton hairdresser and tobacconist, of Palmerston N., deposed that on April 27 he was fishing in the Manawatu River at Fitzroy Bend. His attention was drawn to a man about 70 yards yards up the river, standing up to his waist in water. AYitness did not know the man, who was dressed in shirt and trousers. TTe was groping with his left hand under the water, and gradually bent down until his head was under when the current carried him awnv. Tie did not sink and when he came level with witness the latter sang out hut the man did not reply and after floating for half a mile with his head submerged, the man sank. AYitness was of opinion that deceased deliberately went injo the water. Deceased’s cap. coat, collar and tie were on the bank. AYitness searched the clothes and found several letters, one (produced) was a resignation from a Hawke’s Bay school. The river was in flood at. the time.

Alexander Stuart Mcßean, tailor .if Palmerston N., gave evidence as to identifying the body. On the Sunday his brother appeared !• he unite normal. On the Saturday uighl before the tragedy, however. he sc.'mrd “rather queer.” The followi< g morning, when deceased was be ing examined bv a doctor, he appeared quite normal except when lie broke out with references to the war. Deceased had lipoii confined in a mental hospital just after the war on account of shell-shock. Deceased had been a teacher in the Gisborne district aiid had been home on holidays for about a week. After dinner on Sunday deceased said lie was going for a walk. Murdoch Mcßean another brothor. nlso oravo ovitlonoo.

In summing up. the Coroner stated that there was no doubt that tbe body found in the river was that of Ernest Meßean. He was seen apparently wading in the river, but there was no evidence to iiulicate what had induced him to enter the water. A man in his state of health was likely to do anything. His finding was that Ernest S. Meßean was found drowned in the Mnnawatu River on June 26. The Coroner added that he was not altogether satisfied that the relatives of deceased hgd realised the serious siate of the man’s health.