INQUEST.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 8, 23 November 1872, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest on the body of Andrew John McDonald was held at Viiler’s Chandos Hotel, Ormond, on the 15th November, before W. K. Nesbitt, Esq., Coroner, and the following jury : Owen Cowen, foreman. John Maynard, John Caulton, Alleyn Jefferys, Francis Sanders, John Bidgood, John Villers, Thomas Bell, James Lackey, A. Moylan, George Blackstock, John Shape. George Scott being duly sworn states :— “ I knew the deceased. I saw him last about 2 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon the 13th inst., he was bathing in the river Waipaoa in company with myself and two others, viz., Thomas Woods and John Allanack. Before entering the water deceased remarked upon the eddies and the depth of the water, and supposed that it was about twelve feet deep. I remarked that it was very deep. After we got into the river, I pointed out to him the line of deep water. I then swam across the river. I swam back again to the landing (the place we all entered the river) and on coming out and ascending the steps, I noticed McDonald in the shallow portion of the water, close to where he had entered. I ascended the steps, and had finished drying myself, when I turned towards the river, and noticed McDonald

in the deep water. 1 cried out, “ McDonald vou are in deep water.” He appeared in an erect position; he never answered me, but was struggling, though his head was above water. He had a frightened look. I then called to Woods who was twenty yards from McDonald, lower down the stream, that McDonald was drowning, Woods swam to the opposite side of the river, ran up the shingle, until he came opposite McDonald, and struck in towards him, he came up to him and told him (McDonald) to get on his back, he attempted tojdoso, they both sank. Both men rose to the surface, but apart. Woods swam on his back, and endeavoured to push McDonald to the shore with his feet, McDonald sank and Woods swam ashore. About two minutes elapsed from the time McDonald got into the deep water until he sank. After Woods came out of the water I swam to the spot where McDonald sank, but with difficulty got back, not being a good swimmer. Woods also after he had recovered from his exhaustion, swam to the place but was unsuccessful in seeing the body. From what I saw, I believe that Woods did all in his power to save McDonald I saw the body taken out of the water about 3 p.m. on the following day (November 14), the right eyelid was broken or apparently removed. He had no marks when he entered *t he water, but was apparently in good health and spirits.” Thomas Woods being duly sworn, confirmed the statement made by Mr. Scott, and adds: “ I struggled with deceased when under the water, as he had hold of me round the body. I got free from him, but in rising to the surface, I got hold of him by either his leg or arm, and he came to the surface immediately after me and being myself nearly exhausted I endeavoured to push him towards shallow water with my feet.”

No. 91 Foot Constable Kerehoma A.C. being duly sworn, states : “ I have seen the dead body, I took it out of the river at about 3 p.m. yesterday the (14th November), there was a mark over the right eye. Deceased was lying in about three foot of water. I think it likely the mark over the eye was caused by eels.” The following verdict was given.—“ That the said Andrew John McDonald on the 13th day of November 1872, came to his death, accidentally while batliing In the Waipaoa river.”