MANAWATU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 12, 15 April 1871, Page 2

MANAWATU.

[Fbom a Cobbespondent.] An inquest was held on the body of Dugald Henderson, on Tuesday, 4th April, before J. B. Smith Esq., coroner. Robert Kirkpatrick said, on Sunday, 2nd April, as the Dawn was crossing over the Manawatu bar, I was on board with the deceased. I heard Tom Brown say that Dugald had gone overboard. I threw over a life-buoy, and Tom went to the boat and cut the lashing off The boat was lashed on the hatch. We got the boat overboard and a sea struck her and capsized her and was lost. This was about 11 o'clock in the morning. I heard Dugald crying out in the water, but I was so excited that I hardly know what I did or said. I did.not see him go overboard. We were all good friends on board. I have known him since the 15th May last. When he was last on the deck of the cutter he asked me to secure the boom. The vessel was on the north spit of the Manawatu bar. When I threw the buoy overboard it went close to Dugald. He was quite sensible.

Thomas Brown being sworn said: On Sunday morning last at about 10 o'clock we ran for the bar, and stuck upon it/ I went forward with Bob to shove her off with poles. Dugald was with us. Dugald said we had better go aft and secure the boom ; he then said it didn't matter he would do it himself; but I went aft to help him, and when I had got as far as the galley I beard Dugald cry out overboard. I then sung out to Bob that Dugald was overboard, and he threw a lifebuoy over to him, but owing to the eddy of the tide the buoy came back to the cutter. I then cut the lashing of the boat, but in getting it. overboard a sea struck her and she filled. I then said, it is no use Bob, as Dugald has gone down. I saw him go down feet first. I recognise the body now shown to the jury to be that of Dugald Henderson. I believe it to be five or six minutes from when he went over to when I saw him go down. He was perfectly sober at the time of the accident. John Morgan, said : On the 3rd of April between five aud six in the morning, Mr Atkins asked me if I would go on the north beach towards Rangitikei to see if I could see anything of the body of Capt. Henderson. I cantered along the beach for two or three miles, and saw a body floating in the surf. I got it on shore as far as I could. He was lying on his face with his arms doubled under him. He had only his shirt, trousers, and one sock on. I noticed no marks on the beach. He had a dark mark across his eyes, and apparently a blow on the mouth. Robert Kirkpatrick being recalled, said: The last time I saw Dugald alive he had his boots on—and when the vessel struck on the bar. I do not know whether his boots were on when he went to secure the boom, but I do know he had no coat on. His boots were large boots, heavy half Wellingtons, and might easily come off in the water. Thomas Brown being recalled said: That the last time he saw Dugald Henderson alive he had on a pair of heavy half Wellington boots, a pair of heavy tweed trousers, a shirt and a cap. In the morning he had his vest and muffler on, but I do not know whether he had taken these off. They were easy boots to get on and off. The verdict returned was that Dugald Henderson was accidentally drowned off the cutter Dawn, whilst crossing the bar of the Manawatu river. THE FUNERAL. About one o'clock the funeral procession started from Mr Atkins' house to the cemetery, and there the burial service service was performed by the Rev. Mr Paterson, and attended by two other Presbyterian clergymen, and the Rev. James Duncan, and by about fifty of the inhabitants of the town and surrounding districts. The deceased was universally esteemed and respected, and his sudden death at so young a period ' of his life (29,) whilst engaged in. his business, has cast a gloom over the whote neighborhood, and deep commiseration is felt for his widow and orphan child.