MAN LOST OVERBOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1926, Page 12

MAN LOST OVERBOARD

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Nov. 12. The inquest concerning the death of Frank Randall, whose body was washed up on the embankment off Point Resolution on November 4, was concluded before Mr. W. K. McKean, S.M., coroner, to-day. Albert Metcalfe, an able seaman on the Matangi, said he saw the deceased on board the vessel on the evening of November 3, when she was about to sail for Tauranga. He was leaning over the rail and produced a bottle of whisky, asking witness if he would like a drink. Deceased appeared to be the worse for liquor and looked worried. When the Matangi pulled out from the Central Wharf the deceased was still hanging over the rail. Witness had another drink with him and then said “goodnight.” There was nothing to make him think deceased would commit suicide. Lloyd Hodges, bedroom steward on the Matangi, said a ticket had been issued to a man under the name of F. Roberts. The berth had not been occupied. A constable said that four £5 notes were found in deceased’s clothing. In returning a verdict of death by drowning the coroner said there was nothing. to indicate how the deceased fell into the water or that he committed suicide. The evidence disclosed that he had booked a passage under another name.