The Rarawa Drowning Case.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7803, 20 April 1905, Page 2

The Rarawa Drowning Case.

An inquest was opened at the Breakwater Hotel at 11 o'clock on Wednesday morning by the. Coroner, Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., touching the death of Henry Gower, who was a passenger from Onchunga to New Plymouth by the Itarawa, on the 12th inst., but was found to be missing on the steamer arriving at the wharf, the body being found on Tuesday last. The following were the jury : John Oliver (foreman), llichard Simpson, Joseph McMahon, John M. Mnir, John James, and George Gealin. Detective Benjamin conducted the inquiry on behalf of the police. Alfred W. Prangley, chief steward on the Ilarawa, stated there were two passengers on the ship on the 12th inst. named Gower. On getting alongside the wharf witness heard that one of the Gowers was missing. He identified the body found as that of one of the Gowers, and stated that the deceased man had been very sick. The ship was thoroughly earched, but there was no trace of the missing man. John Cook, employed on the dredge, said that between 2.50 and 8 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon he was at lhe end of the wharf when he saw a black object floating on the water inside the breakwater. The dredge was- lying near the wharf and witness went on board, and from there was convinced that the object, he saw was a human body. Witness got a boat, lowed the body to the wharf, and reported the matter to the harbourmaster. The inquest was at this, stage adjourned until 11 o'clock to-day, for the attendance of deceased's brother.