CORONER'S INQUEST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 220, 16 September 1871, Page 2

CORONER'S INQUEST.

o An inquest was held at the Ship Hotel tbis morning, on the body of Annie Leaver, a child of 16 months old, who was drowned in tbe harbor on Thursday higlit.' Thomas Hamilton stated that he was in the boat when it upset, having come in it from the French Pass. Besides himself and Webber, who was hi charge, there were on board Mr. and Mrs. Leaver and child, Mr. Watson, and Miss Reynolds. There was some cargo and II pigs. When- Webber proposed to come through the channel, witness objected, on the ground that it was too dark, but was overruled by Webber, who said " Oh, that's nothing when you're used to it," and then steered for the channel, thinking it vas high water, which, however, it proved not to be. The boat grounded, and the four men got out and tried to lift her over, but the 1 water was so shallow they could not manage it. They then tried to push her seawards, but; the rollers were too heavy, for t them,'- v Webber then went into the boat to pump her out, while the .others tried to work her over the ban|?,,;ibut» firidiDg they did . not succeed,, he got out again to assist* ind^rtMiss '-'Reynolds at the pump.' 11 As tbe tide kept rising, they got the boat further

J nto the channel, but the sea became heavier and worked her round uutil she was broadside on to the waves. Finding they could not save the boat, witness proposed to Wibber to get ashore, but the boat very speedily filled, and the pigs and some of the cargo were floating about in it. Whilst they were engaged in throwing the cargo overboard she caoMzed, and aU hands climbed on to her bottom ; Miss Reynolds clung to Webber, and Mrs. Leaver to Watson, but the boat soon sank, and on coming up again, Miss Eeynol's and Webber were missing. Leaver was seen floating away supported by an oar. The baby, at the same time, floated- up, and Mrs Leaver laid hold of her and exclaimed. " Oh, my poor baby's dead." They contrived to keep the boat afloat, aud continued to cooee for assistance J until -Kidson arrived in his boar. Witness and others got into it, and Kidson then pulled in the direction in which Leaver was last_ seen, and alter a time they found him and got him into the boat. When they first grounded, Watson suggested that the women should get out, and walk to the Lighthouse, but Webber objected, aying, that two or three seas will take us right over." The boat was 22 feet in the keel, and quite an open one. She was not too crowded . bhe had come to Nelson before drawing more water. Witness had been accustomed to sail her for eight years. They were all quite numbed when they arrived at the shore, and witness was the only one who was able to walk. John Kidson, lighthouse keeper, stated that between 8 and 9 on Thursday evening he heard cries for help, and got his boat out at once and in the direction of the voices. In a short time he found a boat floating keel upwards with some people clinging to it. He got them on board and then went in search oi another man who was said to be missing, found him, and took him also on board, just in time to save his life as he was completely exhausted. Those whom he had rescued said that there had been two more, but they were afraid they were gone. After calling out, and getting no answer he pulled ashore A verdict was returned to the effect that the child was drowned owing to the accidental capsizing of the boat, the jury expressing an opinion that some recognition should be made of Mr. Kidson's services in so promptly going to the rescue and saving the lives of four persons.