INQUEST.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 734, 8 November 1870, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held at two o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the National Hotel, beforo Dr Thorpe, on view of the body of James Gardner, a butcher, who was found drowned in the Buller Lagoon. Mr James Anslow was chosen foreman.

The jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was given :—■ George Koberfc Lamplough stated that he was a butcher, residing at Addison's Plat. Ho identified the body

of the deceased as that of James Gardner, whom he had known for three years. He last saw the deceased alive on .Saturday afternoon, between four and five o'clock, at the South Spit. Deceased was driving cattle with him across the lagoon. The cattle were crossing a narrow place, not the regular ford. They had often before crossed cattle and sheep at the same place, but they never rodo across it. After the cattle crossed deceased followed them on horseback. Ho got into deep water, and the horse reared, the deceased pulling the reins, and the horse began to plunge and kick in the water. The deceased was unseated, and drifted gradually away with the current, which was pretty strong at the time. Deceased floated on his back for a short time. He kept gradually sinking, until he disappeared altogether about ten or twelve yards off", his whip being the last thing seen. He believed the deceased could not swim, and that the horse struck him. Ho was perfectly sober. Witness could render no assistance. There was no occasion for the deceased to cross the lagoon, witness told him riot to do so. The horse did not run away with him.

George White, gardiner at the South Spit, stated that he saw the occurrence, and heard the previous witness call to the deceased not to cross. Witness also called. He was in his boat at the time, under Bail, and was only five or six yards away from the deceased. He lowered his sail, and the boat drifted down about fifty yards, having weigh on her. He pulled back to the spot, but could see nothing but the whip, which deceased appeared to still have in his hand. Witness expected deceased to rise again, but ho did not. There would be nine to ten feet of water, where the deceased was drowned.

Samuel A. Leech, harbor-master, deposed to finding the body in the lagoon at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday. The face of the deceased appeared scratched or bitten by fishes, but witness did not observe any other marks. He did not consider the place safe to cross, where the deceased was drowned.

William Stephenson, constable, deposed to searching the body of the deceased on Sunday afternoou, about five o'clock. He found £1 5s 6i in silver, £55 in notes, and a bank deposit receipt for £SO. Tho last witness was present when he searched the body.

The jury returned a verdict of " death by accidental drowning."