INQUEST.
An inquest was held on Thursday, at the Coal Minos Hotel, llahuipokeko, by Mr W. N. Searancke, R.M , on the body of James Charles Phillips, who was dr.iwiicd on Sunday, the 25th October. Michael Foley, sworn, said : I am a sergeant in the E.i'^ineor Corps, and stationed at Toles Hill. On Sii iday, the 25th ult., Kershaw, deceased, and myself went out on the lake in a canoe. After proceeding about 150 yards into tlie lake we found it was too rough, and turned again towards the shore. Shortly after doing so 3or 4 seas broke over the canoe, swamping her. We all tumbled out, mid in trying to catch hold of her, she turned round sor 6 times. Not a word was spoken by any of us during the time. Deceased was in the middle, [ holding on to the canoe ; at that time it was bottom upwards. I observed his hand slipjring off. I called to him, but he made no reply. He sank immediately after. I put out my hand to catch him ; I just succeeded in touching his shoulder with my finger, but not sufficient to get a hold of him. I saw him no more until yesterday, when his body was picked up. After Phillips sank Kershaw tried to get on the canoe. The canoe was a large one, capable of holding 5 or 6 persons. None of us could swim. Robert Kershaw, sworn, said : lam a corporal in the E.V.M. corps. 1 remember Sunday, the 25th [ ult. Deceased, Foley, and I went in a canoe up Kimahia creek towards the lake. After getting a short way into the lake we agreed to run across before the wind. Foley turned the head of the canoe towards the shore ; 3or 4 seas broke over her and swamped her. After the upsetting of the canoe I did not notice deceased at all. I held on until Foley and myself drifted ashore. We were about 3 hours in the water. (1 never saw the deceased till yesterday, when I was one of the party who helped to pick the body up. We found it floating amongst a lot of rushes about 10 yards from shore. The following verdict was returned : " Accidentally drowned by the upsetting of & canoe in Kimahia lake.
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Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 388, 7 November 1874, Page 2
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382INQUEST. Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 388, 7 November 1874, Page 2
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