DEATH OF MR. F. H. COX.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 94, 29 March 1884, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. F. H. COX.

DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE. On Thursday morning last a circumstance occurred which cast a gloom over the whole town. This was the intelligence that Mr. F. H. Cox had met with an untimely death by drowning, under the most distressing circumstances. No sooner was the painful news fully verified than nearly all the storekeepers marked their respect for the deceased by putting up their shutters. Mr. Cox had been somewhat ailing through the past week, but continued at business until Saturday last, when he went home and took to his bed. From a remark which he made to some friends, a few days ago, to the effect that if he went home and took to his bed, he felt sure he would never recover again, and also expressed his satisfaction at having made his will and insured his life, it would almost appear as though he had some presentiment of the end. Perhaps one of those vague undefinable feelings flitted over him, which seem to speak to the soul like an admonition from the world of spirits—a sort of shadow from the wings of the angel of death. On medical assistance being called in, he was found to be suffering from fever, which so affected his brain, as to render it necessary to watch him. On Wednesday he was pronounced to be somewhat better, and his brother-in-law, Mr. O. Skeet, sat with him during the night. About six o’clock, on the morning of Thursday, Mr. Skeet rose and, calling Mrs. Cox, left the deceased in bed, and went over to his own house across the way, where he had not been much more than fifteen or twenty 1 minutes before he was informed that deceased was missing. On going back nothing could be seen of the unfortunate man. Diligent search was made, and Mr. Skeet came down to the shop, and went to several friends, but to no purpose. A more minute search ended by Mrs. W. Good (Mrs. Cox’s sister-in-law) finding the deceased’s hat lying on the bathing punt, at the foot of Carnarvon Street. No sign of the body being apparent, Mr. Skeet followed the river down, and saw the body floating in the water, just below Archdeacon Williams’ place. The body showed a bruise on the right eye, and was dressed in boots, trousers, and a waterproof coat buttoned up to the chin. Life was quite extinct. The deceased leaves a wife and three children, whose untimely bereavement has occasioned the liveliest sympathy from all. Mr. Cox was 34 years of age, and came here on Feb. 6, 1876, from Auckland. By his genial temper, and straightforwardness, combined with many other estimable qualities, he had earned the goodwill, and respect, of all members of our community. In him we all have iost a good citizen, and many a warm and generous friend. He has also been a most useful man in many respects, having been Chief Ranger of the Order of Forresters, and Secretary for the past four years, together with being a director of the Building Society. The deceased had, in July last, insured his life for £3OO in the Australian Mutual. INQUEST. An inquest on the body was held yesterday afternoon at the Settler’s Hotel, before James Booth, Esq., Coroner, and the following jurymen:—Messrs. Aislabie (Foreman), M. Jennings, H. Fisher, J. C. Taylor, G. Maher, W. Willoughby, H. Houghton, H. Bruce, J. Thompson, H. Partington, F. Tieetjen, F. Pearce, and J. Mcßride. Mr. Nolan attended on behalf of the deceased’s relatives. On viewing the body it presented a very natural appearance and looked very life-like.

There were a few scratches underneath bath eyes caused by the infliction of slight wounds by the reeds. • ' , Dr. Hy. Pollen deposed as to having attended the deceased since Saturday last and found, him suffering from symptoms of typhoid fever. Saw iho deceased last on Wednesday evenings when he was somewhat delirious, with lucid intervals, (lave in.structions to watch him. Next saw the body on Thursday. Thought the deceased had accidentally fell into the water through faintness, as he must have been exhausted in getting to the wharf. Oncein the immersion must have caused his death. Knew the deceased rior about eight yeirs, and had formed a very high opinion of him in every way. By Mr. Willoughby—Thought that if the deceased had stepped into the Cbld water with a view of cooling himself it would have caused unconsciousness and death. W. 0. Skeet knew the deceased, who aS his brother-in-law and who had been confied to his bed since Sunday last. Sat with the deceased on the Wednesday night until six o’clock on Thursday. He was delirious at intervals, but pSMKtIy quiet when he left him in bed. Witness’s own wife and the deceased's were in the house at the time he left, and he called Mrs. Cox to take care of her husband. Went across the street to his own house. In less than a quarter-of-an-hour his wife called out to him and said Mr. Cox had gone. Went and searched, but could not find him. Mrs. Cox thought he had gone to the shop. Witness went there, and returned back, and then went down to the river, where he found the straw hat belonging to the deceased. He searched the river, and found the body in the water, opposite the Archdeacons. The water reached up to his (witness’s) hips. The body was floating face downwards, and was dressed in a waterproof coat, boots, socks, and trousers. Life was quite extinct. Sent for the police and Dr. Innes.

By Mr. Nolan—The deceased was fery weak, and could scarcely sit up in bed. He was a very steady man, and lived very quietly. Was greatly attached to his home and children. Had been ailing for some time. Had a good business. By the foreman—Did not think for one moment that deceased showed any suicidal tendency. Mrs. W. O. Skeet desposed that she was staying with her sister, and heard Mr. Skeet call Mrs. Cox on the morning in question, and said she had better get up as he was going out. In about twenty minutes afterwards they missed the deceased. Before doing so she heard him muttering something, but did not hear him get up. Was in the adjoining room. He must have gone out by the back door. Dr. Innes was called, and found the body of the deceased lying on the bank. Life was quite extinct, but the body could not have been long in the water. Perhaps about one hour. Drowning was the cause of death. The following verdict was returned “ That deceased met his death by accidental drowning during the delirium of fever.” The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, at 3 p.m., and was most numerously attended and impressive. The respect in which the deceased was held was evidenced by the great number who followed the body to the grave. The members of the order of Forresters attended. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. A. C. Williams, and afterwards the Foresters’ obsequies ritual was gone through by Bro. W. File, Past Chief Ranger. The funeral was the largest, and most numerously attended one, which has been seen for long past.