DROWNING IN THE RANGITATA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1167, 30 October 1883, Page 3

DROWNING IN THE RANGITATA.

On the morning of the 26th inst. a party of seven men, who had stopped at Mount Peel station on the night previous, went down to the Rangitata river, near the Mount Peel Woolshed, with tbe intention of crossing over to tbe north side. Two of them named James McMurtrie and John Fergus succeeded in crossing. Deceased then tried to cross, but when about half way was seen to fall over. McMurtrie and Fergus, who observed the accident, slipped on their boots and ran down on the north side of the stream. McMurtrie succeeded in stopping the body about a quarter of a mile below the place where he entered the river. The two then pulled the man out, whom they found to be quite dead. The body was taken over to the Mount Peel Station and an inquest held by the Hon J, B. A. Acland, J.P., on the following day, when the above fads were elicited. The jury, of which Mr William Clifford was foreman, leturned c verdict of ‘ accidentally drowned’and strongly recommended that a uotice board should be placed near the bank of the river to the effect that the river is never crossable on foot at that spot, The body was afterwards interred in the Mount Peel Churchyard.

The accident is the mere sad as no one has been able to identify the deceased, and we append a full description in order that any who fancy they can recognise who the deceased was can communicate with the police : —He was supposed from his speech to be an Irishman, about 45 years of age, was sft Bin in height, dark complextion, medium but square built, dark brown hair, whiskers and moustache turning gray and cut very short, dark gray ejms, eyebrows well marked, nose slightly hooked and broad at base for its size, chin shaved and firm,mouth medium; no tattoo marks on the body; slight scar on left eyebrow with scab still on. Dress—Brown tweed coat, brown check vest, blue check cotton shirt, knitted drawers, woollen socks, watertight boots, (with the left sewn with twine, the right cut at the toes), white comforter with blue spots. The swag, trousers and hilly were washed down the river. The former was fastened with three straps and very tidily made np. The small scar near the eye he had stated was made by his falling on to his billy while on the spree, and it bled freely at the time. Anyone down the river picking up the swag, or knowing any circumstance which might help to identify the man, should communicate at once with the police.