INQUEST.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 274, 31 October 1884, Page 2

INQUEST.

The inquest ou the body of W. Novell, found drowned last Saturday morning, and adjourned until to-day, in order to procure further evidence, was continued this afternoon before J. Booth, Esq., coroner. Mr. L. G. Diery was fined £5 for not being present and detaining the business. His Worship afterwards requested Mr. Diery to come up to him after the inquest. John Severn deposed that he was a seaman. Was employed on board the s.s. Rosina up to the 10th of this month. A man of the name of Novell was also employed on her as providore. Last saw him on the 18th, Saturday, when he was on board the Rosina about 5.45 in the evening. They parted then, deceased going ashore, and witness staying on board. The Rosina was then lying alongside the wharf. Deceased told him before he went ashore to lock the cabin doors, but did not state where he was going to. Did not go ashore at all that evening. Went to bed about eight o’clock. From the time he went to bed until the next morning he did not come on deck. The first thing he did the next morning was to call out for deceased, as he did not see him in his bunk. He then went to look if he was on deck, but did not ■ find him. The skipper, Ra Mackay, carnet aboard during the day and inquired for him (deceased), and replied that he must be up in the Gisborne Hotel, where witness thought he was, as he frequented it and used to live there. During Saturday forenoon had a conversation with deceased as to the country. He asked witness how far out it was where his mate lived, and said he would like to go out and see him the following day (Sunday). That satisfied him (witness) that deceased was allright when he did not turn up. Were shipmates a little over a month. Deceased told him that all his friends were burned in a vessel coming out from Home. Witness had seen him the worse for drink, and when in that state he fwas perfectly helpless. From the time witness went to bed until he arose in the morning, he did not hear the slightest noise. It was low water about 12 o’clock on the night of the 18th. The boat would then be about four feet from the wharf about the after part, and near the main deck about six feet. There would be plenty of room for a person to fall between the boat and the wharf. To the Foreman—There would be no water between the boat and the wharf at low tide. Was sleeping on the side near to the wharf and if a man had have fallen off the wharf on to the boat he would have heard the fall. Constable Farmer deposed that on the 25th instant he found a dead body on the beach near the wharf, fully dressed. Found a small hole in the right hip, and the head was much - bruised. On searching the body found a wooden pipe, small key, piece of lead pencil, a memorandum book and some bills. Had the body then removed to the Turanganur Hotel. After a ten minutes discussion the jury brought in the following verdict:—“ We find that the deceased was found drowned, but how, and under what circumstances the drowning took place, there is no evidence to show.”