INQUEST.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 773, 7 February 1871, Page 2

INQUEST.

An enquiry into the circumstances attending the death of John Leece was held by the District Coroner, Dr Giles, yesterday, at the Albion Hotel, Westport. The jury having been impanneled, and having elected Mr Seaton as their foreman, were sworn, and proceeded to view the body ; after which the following evidence was taken : Alexander Simpson, sworn : lama clerk at the Union Bank, Westport. I knew the deceased, Leece. I last saw him ali-e about 8 a.m. to-day. We have beeu iu the habit of bathing together, and we bathed in the surf this morning, nearly opposite Freeman street. We went out together until fetching a considerable distance, when the deceased turned to come ashore. 1 did not turn for some time after, and, when I did so, he was still swimming I lost sight of him, and shortly after I saw his hands above water, but he soou disappeared. I was about thirty yards away. I came ashore, and he was washed up shortly afterwards. I did not hear him make any cry. The surf was not so heavy as we have experienced it on previous occasions. He was a pretty fair swimmer There were no other parties bathing, but Mr Suisted and Mr Melville were present on the beach.

By Jurors: The current to the northward was stronger than usual. I made an attempt to save him, but I could not see him. He disappeared about twenty yards from the shore. I do not think it was out of his depth, but, if it were, it could not have been a great deal out of his depth. Those on shore made no attempt to save him, but I believe they could not swim. By the Coroner: It was from ten minutes to a quarter of an hour after he disappeared that he was washed up on the beach.

Eric Suisted: I ain resident at "Westport. I did not know the deceased. About eight o'clock this morning I saw two parties bathing. I was on the beach at the rear of Gladstone street. I saw the laet wit ness and the deceased swimming together through the surf. Leece turned to make for the shore. While swimming he called out and threw up his hands. In about half a minute he disappeared, and three minutes after I went away to give an alarm. I returned with a constable, and saw the body of the deceased washed up. That might be eight or ten minutes after the deceased disappeared. He appeared to be quite dead. A great many people had gathered. About three or four minutes after the body had washed ashore medical assistance arrived.

By Jurors : There were three of us on the beach, but I do not know the name of the others. One person pulled off his boots, but he could not swim. Three rollers broke over deceased before he called out. Mr Simpson was about sixty or seventy yards away when Leece cried out.

William Williams : lama constable stationed atWestport. Shortly after eight this morning I was informed that a man was drowning. I went to the end of Molesworth-street, and shortly after the previous witness saw the body floating in the surf. I and two other parties went into the surf, and secured the body. Life appeared extinct when the body was recovered. I identify the body as "that of John Leece. Dr Bruen and Dr Thorpe arrived at the same time. They arrived about ten minutes after the body was recovered. Those present attempted, by chafing the limbs of the

deceased, and by other moans to restore consciousness. Dr Thorpe also used hiu efforts.

L. Fernandez : I am a cordial maker, resident at Westport. Shortly after eight o'clock this morning I was on the beach, having heard some one say a man was drowning. I saw Mr Simpson on the beach. Shortly after I heard the constable exclaim " there is the body," and I went into the surf and recovered it. I identify the body as that of John Leece. We endeavored to restore consciousness but ineffectually. When Dr Thorpe came up he pronounced life extinct, and I went away. Samuel Thorpe: I am a qualified medical practitioner, resident at Westport. I have seen the body of the deceased John Leece. It was between half-past eight and nine o'clock this morning that I received information that a man was drowned. I was partially dressed, and in about ten minutes I arrived at the beach. It would be then as nearly as I can judge about ten minutes to nine. I saw the body of the deceased. Dr Bruen was present when I arrived, but I cannot say exactly how long he had been there. Dr Bruen desired to give me charge of the case, and 1 thereupon proceeded to examine the body, and, pending my investigation, Sylvester's means were used to restore artificial respiration. Ou examination I found that life was quite extinct. It appeared from all I could learn that the body had been submerged at leaat ten minutes, and that no signs of life were exhibited after the body was recovered. There were two or three slight abrasions on the body, but no sign of any serious injury. The appearance of the corpse presented the usual symptoms of death by drowning. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased met his death by accidental drowning while bathing in the surf.