INQUEST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5578, 13 February 1879, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the morgue yesterday before the coroner and a jury relative to the death of Tohu Pilling Jones, who was found drowned early yesterday morning.

The following evidence was taken; — William Standon deposed that he was a milkman and knew the deceased, who was witness’s wife’s father. He identified the body as that of John Pilling Jones. Saw him last alive at his shop, Courtenay-place, on Monday week. Deceased was a bookseller and stationer. When witness last saw him he appeared in his usual health, but was low spirited, and was disinclined to talk. Witness heard that deceased of late had been more or less despondent. Before he went into the shop in Courtenay-place he was generally good spirited. Never heard deceased express any intention of doing away with himself. Have known him for the last nine years. His age was 47. He had been in the colony for many years, chiefly residing in Auckland province. ( Sophia Jones, wife of the deceased, deposed that she saw her husband last on the 4th inst., about 6 a.m. He never mentioned that ho was going out. It was nothing unusual for him to be up at that hour. Never witnessed anything strange about his manner on that morning. Previously had noticed that he was absent-minded, and did not take notice of anything about the house. He attended to his business, but with little activity or spirit. Ho left without his breakfast. Witness first missed him about 25 minutes past 6 a.m. Ho left no letter of any description stating where he was going. He left his spectacles and watch behind. Witness was surprised that they should have been left behind, as bo always wore them. This first aroused witness’s suspicions and she became very uneasy. The police were subsequently made aware that ho was missing. Witness had been married for 27 years. Ou several occasions deceased had been despondent, and had expressed threats of committing suicide. He worried himself about his business and money matters, but in reality there was no necessity for his doing so. His life was not insured.

James Brown, night-watchman, deposed that at 12.30 yesterday morning he saw something floating on the water that resembled a drowned man. Knowing there was a man missing witness made the facts known to two men, who took a boat and found the body of deceased and brought it ashore. Deceased was then handed over to the police. Witness knew deceased. Saw him shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the 4th instant, close to Rhodes' store, and going towards Willis-street. There was nothing peculiar in his appearance. Constable John Buchanan deposed to having searched the clothes of the deceased. Found 7s. sd. in money and some business cards. The jury returned as their verdict that deceased was “ found drowned.”