WAVERLEY NOTES.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1085, 12 September 1883, Page 3

WAVERLEY NOTES.

[From our Correspondent.] The inquest on the unfortunate man James Hardy, who died suddenly on Sunday last at Waverley, was held in the Commercial Hotel on Tuesday at 9 a.m., before C. A. Wray Esq., coroner. The following jury was sworn : Messrs Mason (foreman), Rasmussen, F. Matheson, Carter, Foley, Leo, Kremger, Perry, J, Brown, A. Vincent, Kpertz, and Hellier. Herman : Bartz, a German, living at Waverley gave evidence that the deceased was staying at his house. On Sunday morning Hardy went out into the garden. Shortly afterwards Bartz went out also, and found him lying dead. Called two men that were staying in the house (Hutchens and Foley) who came out and looked at the deceased. He then gave information to Constable Lyster of the occurrence. J. Hutchens stated that he was staying in Bartz’s house. Was called on Sunday morning, by Bartz who said Hardy was lying dead in the garden, Went out aud saw himlying in the garden quite dead. also went with him. Constable Lyster deposed to having been called by Bartz on Sunday morning. Went to Barlz’s house and saw Hardy lying dead in the garden. Felt him and found him quite warm. There were no marks of violence on hiiq. Searched him and found £3 12s in his pocket. Dr Croft stated he had made a post mortem examination of the body and found that death was caused bj r heart disease. The jury, after a short deliberation brought in a verdict accordingly. The deceased was a man about 67 years of age and is supposed to have been a widower. He leaves two boys and a girl, the boj's aged respectively 13 and 10i A meeting of landowners in the Momahaki Block was held oh Saturday, at the Commercial Hotel, Waverley, for the purpose of considering the advisableness of urging on the Government to open a more direct line of road to that block, the present road being considered too far round. Mr J. Aitken was elected Chairman, and stated the business of the meeting. Several of the settlers then gave their views as to the desirability of a direct road being opened, there being two lines of road available one through Messrs Storey and Hawes’property, and one through Messrs Hearn and Kennedy’s.: Ultimately a committee was elected, consisting of Messrs Lind, Thurston, Johnston, Fookes and Hawes, for the purpose of making enquiries, &c., and drawing up nwremorial to Government, urging the of a road being opened. The committee will inspect the different routes and report at an early date. No doubt a more direct road is wanted, as the country is getting rapidly settled, and the present roundabout road is rather tedious to the settlers there. The Entertainment in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Church came off on Tuesday evening, and proved a great success. The programme consisted of yocal and instrumental pieces, readings, etc., aH of which were well received. At the end of the first part a very pleasant little episode took place. The Chairman, Mr Johnston, stated that he was requested to notify that in order to show the esteem in which Mr Swinbourne was held for the long period in which he had conducted musical affairs in Waverley, a slight testimonial had been got up by the residents. He had great pleasure in calling on Mrs Muir to make the presentation. Mrs Muir then briefly addressed Mr Swinbourne, and presented him with a purse of sovereigns. Mr Swinbourne returned thanks for the honour done him, expressing himself in words that showed his feelings overcame him. Altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent, the programme being a long one, and not overdone in any respect.