DROWNED IN THE LAGOON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 986, 17 June 1879, Page 2

DROWNED IN THE LAGOON.

About mid-day to-day the attention of Sergeant Beattie was oalled by Mr. Olias. Adams, employed by Mr. Orr, to the presence of something very much like the body of a man floating in the middle of the Lagoon. The sergeant, in arder to convince himself as to. whether or not the surmise as ta the nature of the object was correct, sent his dog in to bring it out. Though the dog failed to do so, he succeeded in ao turning the body that no room for doubt was left that another human being had met with an untimely death in that treacherous sheet of water and slush. Directly it became known that a man's body had been found in the Lagoon, a hvygo concourse of people gathered round it. As no boat was obtainable, several ineffectual attempts were made to form rafts with which to secure the body ; but each attempt proved abortive, and finally a man named Henry Smith volunteered, despite the excessive colclpess, to go in bring the body ashore, This he very speedily did, and the body was conveyed to the Criterion Hotel Stables, whore it now lies awaiting the usual Coroner's inquiry with the customary verdict of found drowned. The body has apparently been in tho water about nine or ten days, It has been identified by several persons as that of a Scotchman, aged about 55 years ; but there ia some difference of opinion as to his real name, several persons stating it bo Donald M'Donald, while others give it as Donald M'lnnes, and some others as James M'Donald. The deceased was recently engaged digging potatoes at the f&rni of Mr. John Turnbull.

Since writing the above, we have learned thai; tho deceased's name is Donald M'lnnes. He was formerly a sailor, and was well known about town. As he is known to have been drinking pretty heavily of late, it is very probable that, while in a state of intoxication, he walked over the bank, and was drowned.