THE LATE MR H. WELCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8472, 25 June 1907, Page 7

THE LATE MR H. WELCH.

THE INQUEST. Mr W. P. James, Coroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs G. A. Bruce, VV. R. Taylor, A. Moje, John L'onovan, W. Hibbard, and Frank F. Day, held an inquest, yesterday morning, touching the death of Mr Hugh Welch, who was found drowned in the Ruamahanga River, on his furm, on Sunday morning. William James Welch, brother of the deceased, said that in August last the deceased had his instep broken, and it had been a source of trouble to him ever since. Witness saw the deceased in Masterton on Saturday, and he then seemed to be in his usual spirits. He was complaining about his foot being painful, and hoped it would be better in the warmer weather. Witness promised to go and spend the day with him on Sunday, and he seemed pleased at that. Witness went to the deceased's farm about 10 in the morning, and ascertained that he had just been found drbwned in the Ruamahanga River. Witness went and helped to take the body out of the river. It was lying face downwards in about two or three feet of water, and was fully dressed with the exception of a hat, which was discovered on the bank a yard or two away from where the body was found. In witness' opinion, the deceased had gone to the edge of the river to see if any of his,sheep had been caught in the brambles, and possibly his footing gave way and he slipped into the river. The deceased was not of a despondent disposition, but was always energetic and lively. Selina Rayner, mother-in-law of the deceased, said that she had come home with the deceased last Saturday. He was then in his usual spirits, but complained that his foot still troubled him. The deceased went to bed about 10 o'clock on Saturday night, and that was the last witness saw of him. William Drake, aged 13 years, whoworks on' the farm, said he saw thd deceased on Sunday morning at a little after 7 o'clock. Witness was milking when the deceased came and stood by the gate near where he was milking. Witness went and had breakfast, and as the deceased did not come to breakfast Mrs Welch sent witness to look for him. Witness could not find him. James Trembath, farm labourer in the employ of the deceased, said that ho* saw the deceased on Saturday night, when he seemed to be in good spirits. When witness came into the house for breakfast on Sunday morning he did not see the deceased about, and the last witness asked him if he had seen Mr Welch. Mrs Welch asked witness to gofand look for him. Witness thought he had gone to see a plough about which he had spoken, but he was not there. Witness mounted a horse and went along the river, and eventually .found the deceased lying face downwards in about three feet of water. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased was found drowned in the Ruamahanga River. The \ funeral will take place, today, leaving Upper Opaki, at 11.30 a.m.