CORONIAL INQUIRY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3593, 1 February 1927, Page 3

CORONIAL INQUIRY

A cororual inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Joseph Mounsey, the six-year-old son of Mr. and Airs. George Mounsey, of Watson Street, Foxton, was held in the Courthouse on Saturday afternoon, before Mr. A. Fraser, Coroner. Frank Mounsey, aged 8 years, brother of deceased gave evidence that on Saturday he went, down to the wharf with deceased and Allan McKnight. After walking along the waterfront all three sat down on the edge of the wharf a little above where the s.s. Kennedy was moored. Witness did not see his brother fall .froth the wharf but saw him falling and saw his head strike the side of a launch prior to him disappearing into the water. Witness immediately screamed out and told some men working -about the wharf that his brother had fallen into the river. Witness then ran to his mother in Alain Street, and informed her of the happening. Allan AlcKnight, cousin of deceased, aged 8 years, gave corroborative evidence. All three, he said, were lying on the wharf stringer with their heads on their arms. It was-while lying in this position that Joe suddenly fell oVer. Constable Owen gave, an outline of the steps taken to recover the body and to restore animation. The child was suffering from a boil on the neck, which was bandaged but otherwise was quite healthy and normal.

A verdict was recorded that deceased met his death by accidental drowning. 1