THE MANGAWEKA FATALITY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9336, 4 January 1909, Page 5

THE MANGAWEKA FATALITY.

INQUEST AT MANGAWEKA. From Our Own Correspondent. An inquest touching the death of the late Edward M. Peck was held at the Courthouse, Mangaweka, before Mr John P. Aldridge, Coroner for the district. The inquiry was held without a jury. The evidence of William Smith, who was the last to see him alive, proved that the deceased was in Mangaweka on Boxing night, and at about 8 p.m. went with witness to the hotel and they had one medium glass of beer each. He then left and went to Smith’s to get his washing, and did not stay more than 5 minutes, and left by himself. That was the last seen of him alive. His horse was found the next morning with saddle and bridle on by Mr T. W. Muir, who not thinking anything was wrong, and knowing the horse, put it in his paddock, and seeing the deceased’s dog wandering about, mentioned the matter to Mr Skinner, who reported to Constable Potter, who at once made inquiries and went to deceased’s whare, and found that he had not been there for a day or two. He searched all down the road and on Tuesday did so again with Mr McKenzie and Mr Neal, but without success. He then arranged for a party of about 30 to search on Friday morning. Deceased's cap was found on the road, and shortly afterwards the witness (Neal) found the bundle of washing that the deceased had, and also 3s 6d in silver that had evidently fallen out of his pocket. A little later the oody was found by Messrs W. Smith and James Waugh. It was about 1% miles from where deceased went’over the cliff. Just where he fell over there was a lump of papa that had fallen on the road, and it is supposed that the horse, which was a skittish animal, shied at the papa, and turning sharply put the poor fellow over the cliff. From the road to the water was estimated at about 100 feet, but that distance would not be steep, and the deceased would probably slide to the water

The doctoy said he found the body well nourished with no marks of violence [externally, except some braises over the left temple. The skin was very sodden and parts of the skin on the head and face had been removed by the action of the water. In his opinion he had been ekinned by the fall into the water, and that death was due to drowning. There were no broken bones, and the bruise over the temple was not sufficient to cause death. The verdict was that deceased met his death by being thrown from a horse over the bank of the Mangawharariki river, and drowned. Deceased was a single man and had the reputation of being a thoroughly sober and reliable' man, but his horse (of which he was particularly fond) was very frisky, and he had been warned about him. ft