INQUEST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 4 September 1884, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at Mr Macara's farm, Opaki, on the body of Jens Peter Petersen, who was drowned in the floods of Tuesday last. Mr R. S, Hawkins J.P., presided as Coroner, and a jury was sworn in, from whom Mr Jesse Herbert was chosen toreman. The first witness called was John Macara, who, on being sworn, said that on Tuesday last, September 2nd, at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon he went with deceased, who was driving .a horse and cart to release some lambs that were in danger on the other side of a creek that passed through some paddocks at Brookfield, his brother's farm. He (witness) crossed the creek first on horseback and called out to Petersen that it was pretty deep. He heard no reply, but saw Peterson come on with the cart. When he got into the creek the mare gave a stumble. She righted herself and proceeded a little farther, when the lower wheel went down and the water lifted the cart right over and the mare too, Deceased fell clear of the cart, and witness rode back over the creek tp him; he was standing with water about up to his middle, holding on to the reins. The mare got upon her feet and plunged about considerably. He called to deceased to lot go the horse and cart and come out, and deceased shouted "No I won't." Deceased let go the reins and suddenly floated away down stream on the top of tjie water, and apparently quite helpless, He never seemed to make an effort, and about 20 yards where another creek met the first he went right'underand witness lost sight of him. Witness tried to run his horse to him, but he got bogged, and witness got off and righted his horse. When he moun-. ted again he just caught a glimpse of deceased's head about a hundred yards further down. Witness rode down, but never saw anything more of him, the greater, part of the meadow was under water. Tommy Winteringham was with him ; he had come to lend a hand with the lambs. The horso and cart were on the creek bank when he returned.

Thomas Winteringham, sworn, said lie was employed on Mr Jas. Macara's farm, and accompanied the last witness and deceased on the day in question. He did not cross the creek as his horse would not take the water. He advised Petersen not to go in but he took no notice of him and went. The cart was turned completely over and the horse also. Petersen got clear of them and held on to the reins. He suddenly let go, as if. cramped, and floated away, and then sank out of sight. Deceased never struggled or called out.

Eanganui Kingi, a native residing at the Akura pah, said he found the body of Petersen that morning at 7 o'clock on an island in the Waipoua amongst the scrub, and immediately notified the police. He had been searching for the body with several other natives by Mr. James Maeara'a orders since the accident,

The Jury, without retiring, returned the following verdict:—"The deceased, Jens Peter Peterson, was accidentally drowned on Tuesday September 2 "at Brookfield, Wairarapa Nortji, whilst attempting to cross a creek."