THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT AT ALEXANDRA. THE INQUEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1185, 31 January 1880, Page 2

THE LATE FATAL ACCIDENT AT ALEXANDRA. THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the Alexandra Hotel, before Thomas Gresham, Esq., District Coroner, on Tuesday, to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of Albert Bayliss, aged 9 years, who was drowned while bathing in the Mangapiki Creek the previous afternoon, while in company with a number of other children. Deceased was the second son of Mr John Bayliss, in charge of Dr. Waddington't farm at Puniu. The following jury were etnpannelled : — Messrs J. D. Bill (foreman), John Aubin, "W. Alderson, M. Asmuss, J. IT. Edwards, James Munro, F. Finch, J. K. Pierce, A. Stewart, G. Miles, P. James, and P. McDonald. The jury having visited and examined the body, the following evidence was elicited : — Thaddeus J. Sage, on oath, stated: I live in Alexandra, and am turned 13 years of age. I knew the deceased Albert Bayliss, and last saw him alive yesterday afternoon, between 3 and 4 o'clock, at the Mangapiki Creek Uther boys were there, namely, George and Charles Burns, Herbert Hutton, the two Aubins (Eugene and Claude), Henry Hallett, Willie Pierce, Edmund Sturmor, Charley Finch, and others. We all went there to bathe. We undressed on the Alexandra aide of the river, and crossed over to the other side. After playing about for some time I told Edmund Stunner to come back with me, as it was time to dress. Albert Bayliss then said, " No ; we will go back by ourselves," and took Stunner's hand from mine, and I went across. I heard the other boys calling out, " They are going- down ; they will be drowned." I was then just getting out of the river. I told them to try and catch them. I then ran down the stream, but could not see either of them for a minute or so. I then saw Edmund Stunner's head come up out of the water two or three times, when he caught hold of a branch of a tree; I jumped down the bank and caught him by the wrist and pulled him ashore. 1 did not see Bayliss ; I looked out for him but could not see him. Then we went to the other boys who asked us if we had seen Bayliss. I could not swim : Ido not think one of the party could swim. After we were all dressed someone asked, " What shall we do with his clothes?" I think it was Willie Pierce. I said, " Leave them lay somewhere about here," and Herbert Hutton also said, " Leave them lay here." Willie Pierce took them in his hand. I | did not see where he took them, and have j not seen them since. He went out of I sight across a small creek. I asked him what he had done with the clothes. He ! said he had put them round there, pointing down the creek. We all returned to Alexandra. Wo were wondering if Bayliss were drowned. Someone asked Pierce what he had done with the clothes. I think it was Hutton or George Burns. Pierce replied, " I put them round the bend." I reached home about 5 o'clock, and saw my sister. I said nothing to her about it or my father, whom I saw shortly afterwards. I said nothing to anyone about it until this morning, as I was frightened of getting a beating from my father, who had told me to come home straight from school. To the Coroner : On our way home one of the boys, I think Willie Pierce, said, "Let us say nothing about it." We all said we would not. I said, " Perhaps we had better not say anything about it." I was frightened of getting a beating. I said nothing until Bayliss' father came early this morning and asked me where his son was. I at first said I did not know, but afterwards told him all about it as I have now. I intended to tell about it this morning. William Pierce, sworn, stated : lam 10 years of age. We (the boys mentioned \y Sage) went down to Mangapiki yesterday to bathe. Albert Bayliss proposed we should go to bathe. All went in but Claude Aubin. Ted Sage took Albert Bayliss and Ted Stunner to the deep part of the water, one in each hand, and left them. They did not want to go, but Sage said they must. He said he would not hurt them. They went in together. Albert Bayliss got away from Sage and floated down the river ; he went up and down ill the water two or three timed. Stunner got hold of a tree and Ted Sage pulled him out. We all then dressed, and Sage told jne to hide the clothes, and go home and not let anyone see us. I hid the clothes in the fern, and then we all went home. I said nothing until questioned this morning. Dr Blundell gave evidence as to having examined the body, and was of opinion that death was undoubtedly caused by drowning. Constable Neil McLeod gave evidence as to finding the body on Tuesday morning, about 8 o'clock, caught in a snag. He was accompanied by Mr Bayliss (the father of deceased), Mr J. K. Pierce, and Constable Moule. Edmund Stunner, too young to be B worn, stated : We left school yesterday with the other boys, and went to bathe. After playing for some time on the sand bank Sage said it was time to go back. Sage led me half-way across and then let me go, and Bayliss took hold of me. I ] went into the hole, but caught hold of a tree. Sage jumped in and pulled me out, or I could not have got out. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidentally Drowned."