MR BOULTON'S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 323, 9 June 1911, Page 4

MR BOULTON'S DEATH.

THE INQUEST. / An inquest concerning the death of Mr. G. i{(. Boulton, who was found drowned in the Ilenui river on Wednesday morning, was held yesterday morning by Mr. 11. S. Fitzherbert, S.M., district coroner. Sergeant Dart conducted the inquiry.

Walter Henry Boulton, son of deceased, deposed that his father was 6i or 05 years old. Until a few years ago deceased enjoyed very good health. Recently his health had been failing, and he was not nearly as bright and happy as before. On Tuesday deceased left home about 9.45 a.m. to do some business. A little before 10 o'clock witness came down Devon street in his trap and saw his father standing at the Red Post corner. That was the last time he saw his father. Witness knew of nothing that would cause his father to worry, but thought that he had had a nervous break-down and simply wandered away. Percy B. Butler, dairyman, living >tt Molesworth street, stated that he saw deceased in Liardet street on Tuesday, going towards the sea. Sergeant Dart explained that so far as the police knew this was the last occasion on which deceased was seen alive. *

Edward Shaw, carpenter, Devon street, and son-in-law to deceased, said he assisted in the search for Mr. Boulton on Wednesday, and followed the course of the Henui river. About half-a-mile up the river he saw footprints, which he followed,, crossing a barbed-wire fence,, to a bank overlooking a deep pool, la this pool he saw the body. Witness left the body and telephoned to the police. Witness knew of no reason that would take deceased where he was. found.

Constable Egan gave evidence of Hi*, recovery of the body, which was found face downwards in about 4ft. of water. The body was quite stiff, and had probably been dead for some hours. The coroner found that deceased came to his death by drowning, there being no evidence, however, to show, how he came to bp in. th.B water.