CORONER'S INQUEST.

West Coast Times, Issue 362, 20 November 1866, Page 3

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest touching the death of Sydney Mills, was held yesterday at the Bridge Hotel, Arahura, before Samuel Beswick, Esq., District Coroner. The following evidence was there taken :—: — Alfred Shotler, being sworn, said — I am a miner residing at the Arahura. 1 remember the ninth of this month. I was in my tent with my two mates in the afternoon, about four o'clock. There was no conversation about a new claim. I know the deceased. His name is Sydney Mills. I have seen hia body here. He left the tent after supper, about six o'clock. He said he would go and see for a lagoon, as he had heard there were eels to be got there. A kangaroo bitch left the tent with him. Neither deceased nor the dog returned. As I sat over the fire with my mate we remarked that we were surprised that he did not make his appearance, as it was getting dark. We commenced whistling at different intervals. As he did not return tht

following day I went to the Waimea, and made enquiries of parties with whom he was acquainted, and stopped there all night, returning to the tent next morning. My mate and I then went to search in the bush, some men having told us they had seen tracks. We followed a creek up, and down again, but could find no tracks. I went back to the Waimea the same evening, and gave information to the police. I went to where tho dog was brought from— the Blue Spur at the Ho Ho— and found her. I was there informed that the dog came there on Saturday morning. On the Wednesday following formed a party of ten or twelve men, arid searched the bush without discovering any trace of him. On Sunday morning my mate and I got a boat, and searched the lagoon for his body, with a long pole. Whilst we were searching the mouth of the creek one of the boatmen called to us, and showed us where the bodylayon its back, apparently having been left 'there by the receding water. I should not have recognised him by the features only, were it not that his beard was the same that he wore when he left the tent. He was lying on his back, the arms bent, and the legs straight out. The boots were off his feet, and appeared to be lying by his side. From the appearance of the body I should imagine it had been left there by the tide. 1 have never had any dispute with him at any time. I have a silver geneva watch with steel chain, some likenesses, blankets, shirts, trousers, oilskin coat, &c, belonging to him. We both carried on a butchery at the Blue Spur, Three Mile Creek. 1 have known deceased from six to eight months, but know nothing of his previous history. Frederick Lowe, being sworn, deposed —I am a miner at the Arahura. I remember the evening of the 9th instant. I have seen the body lying here, and know it as Leing that of "Sydney Mills, my mate. I last saw him alive on Friday week last, about six o'clock. He left the tent to see if he could find a place to go eeling on a Sunday. He did not return again. We searched for bin, but did not get uneasytill next day about 12 o'clock. We made enquiries but could not hear anything of him. Yesterday morning about eleven, myself and the last witness went in a boat to search for him ; we came to a lagoon, after leaving which, a boatman called to us, aua asked us if it was our mate we were' looking for. He told us to follow him. We then went up the lagoon to a small island, when he showed us the body, which he said he pulled past about two minutes before. We went ashore and found it was oar late mate. We recognised him hv his clothes. Tho tin box, now shown me, was his. I have only known him a fortnight. I think he has no money nor property belonging to him. George Beatty, being sworn, deposed - I am a Sergeant of the mounted-police, stationed at Hokitika, and from information received yesterday, proceeded to the Arahura lagoon, in the centre of which, upon a small island, I saw the body of deceased, which appeared to have been deposited there by the recent fresh. The body was lying face upwards, partly buried in sand, the hands and arms resting on the chest. The features were much swollen and decomposed. I searched the remains, and found two shillings, a box containing a small quantity of gold, and a document resembling a deposit receipt or cheque, the writing on which was illegible, owing to its long submersion. The evidence of this witness closed the examination, and after a short consultation the jury returned a verdict of " Found drowned."