A LABORER'S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1915, Page 5

A LABORER'S DEATH.

IAWAKINO DROWNING ACCIDENT. An inquest concerning the death ol WiDiaui Monaghon, a laborer, who was found drowned in the Awakino River last week, was held at Mokau on Wednesday, and a report of the proceedings was received yesterday by the New Plymouth police from Constable McGregor, 'of Mokau. ' » The evidence showed that the deceased was a laborer employed by the Public Works Department ou the Awakino Valley road. On October 13 he, left Awakino about 1 pan. to go back to work, and he was then slightly under the influence of liquor. He and the men who accompanied him were drinking whisky out of a bottle as they went along the road, and Monaghan became helplessly drunk. In the evening the party were going on to Monaghan's 'camp and when darkness came on they had reached a very dangerous part of the road, where steep cliffs sheer almost straight down into the Awakino River. Monagban, who was behind the others, was then missed, and they all went back 'to look for him. As they were going 'back they heard a bump at the bottom of the cliff. Dalton, one of the party, went to the bottom and found Monaghan lying head downwards on sonic loose rocks near the river. Monaghan said he was not hurt. Walton placed him in a safe posit'oa and returned io the road for assistance and a rope to pull Monagban up with. When some of the party went down later they could find no trace of Monaghan, and subsequently his body was recovered from the river about two miles down from the scene of the accident. A verdict was returned that Monaghan was accidentally drowned, no blame being attached to anyone