THE LATE DROWNING ACCIDENT AT RAGLAN. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Raglan, Monday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2228, 19 October 1886, Page 3

THE LATE DROWNING ACCIDENT AT RAGLAN. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Raglan, Monday.

It is with deep regret I have to report a vory sad accident here. A boat left Waitetuna on the morning of Thursday, the 15th instant, for Raglan, containing three settlers, iMeasrs William Robertson, Thomas Prior and Richard Wilson, junr. The wind was blowing up the harbour, and considerable difficulty was expeiienced in sailing against it. After arriving at Kiwi Point, about a mile from the wharf, the wind blowing very fresh at the time, they attempted to tack the boat. She refused to anbwev her helm, and the wind forced her over, thus throwing the poor fellows into the water. Prior and Wilson at once .swam for the shore, bqt Robertson clung to the half -submerged boat. When some distance from the shore Prior asked Wilson if he could keep up, addiug that he could not, and then sank. Wilson reached the shore in Hafety. Looking towards the boat he saw Robertson still theie, but there was no sign of Prior. He then ascended a hill, hoisting his bhirt and coat as a .signal of distress. Looking towards the boat he still saw poor Robertson with a red handkerchief on his head, clinging to the boat. Wilson then proceeded to a native settlement for aid, but finding none went to Te Akau station. The boat vras seen by Mr R. C*alvan about 11.30 ».m., who, looking out of his forge, saw that uhe had missed stays. He returned to his work for some time, and when he next looked out he could not see her. Mr R. Pbilp coming along, he told him, and Mr Phllp, along with Mr A. (iilmour, at once proceeded to the boat, The former could i then see % bit of sail and the weather plank

of the boat .shining out of the water. Upon reaching the scene of the accident they found the boat was on her side, anchored in fifteen feet of w.iter. Tho rovvlockn were in her, and theio was a coat at the botjtont* but no signs.of Mr Robertson. Two of the party went to the native settlement to inquire, and on returning Haw a dark object, which proved to be Prior* body, with Ins feet dragging on the sand, close to shore. They then took Wilson from the st ition and conveyed the body of poor Prior to the Harbour View Hotel, to await an inquest. Search parties were out on Friday morning anil since looking for the remains of Mr Robertson, but up till now it has not been found. The inquest w,\s held on Saturday, a report of which appears below. The funeral of the deceased, Thomas Prior took place on Sunday afternoon. He was the son of a London Barrister. Ho had been fifteen years in the colony, and about five or six in Raglan, residing at Todd'a Creek, North arm. He loaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss. A large number of settlers met around the grave. Tho Rev. Mr Stephenson read the burial service, and the prayer that he uttered "That God would be a Husband to the widow, and a Father to the fatherless children," found an echo in every hoait. Mr Robertson leaves a wife and a large family of young children.

The Inquest, - An inquest was held at Moon's Harbour View Hotel, «it 2 p.m. on Saturday, upon the body of Thomas Prior, drowned the previous day, before W. H. Wallis, J.P., coroner, and a jury consisting of the follqwing:—Messrs C. Sutton, j[fjr9tnan), A. Gilmour, J. McCracken, ,T. H. Phillips and G. Moon. After viewing the body «>f the deceased, the following evidence was taken :—: — Richard Wilson, junr., deposed, that he was in the boat that upset along with Messra Robertson and Prior. They left home before high water, and wore sailing down the harbour, having to beat down, the wind being against them. In trying to bring the boat round she missed stays, a- squall blowing at the time, and they were thrown right out of the boat into the water. Mr Robertson had hold of the tiller and had the rope of the sheet round a thole pin. He could not say if the rowlocks were tight. The ballast was loose at the bottom of the boat. Not being accustomed to boating, he could not say if the boat was managed well. Robeitson did not let the sheet go. Prior and himself swam towards the shore ; could not say how far it w.i-. Prior said he was done up, and asked witnesH if he thought he could manage it? Witness said he thought ho could. They were then a good distance from the shoie, and Prior was a chain further down the river the last time witness henrd him. When ho got to shore he saw Robertson still clinging to the boat. Ho then got on a hill, and saw Robertson still clinging to the boat. Could see him with a red handkerchief round his head. Put up signal with shirt and coat, and then went to native settlement and on to the station. Richard Galvin, blacksmith, deposed that whilst at work in his forgo ho saw a boat coming down on the other side of the river in the forenoon of Friday. She seemed to be trying to fetch her wind, but could not manage it. Returning to work he did not see her capsize. He was one of the party to go up the river in search, with Messrs Philp and Gihnour. They went to the boat just as she was on her aide, and no one was in her. They then went towards the shore, and on their way back 3aw something black just under water. They pulled towards it, and found it to be the body of Prior. It was not a chain from shore. It was 11.30 a.m. when he first saw the boat. There was no sign of life when the body v/as picked up. The ballast w.is on one side. He thought there might be an accident by the way they were working the boat. She was held by the anchor when we got to her. It was three hours before the body was picked up. Richard Philp, boat builder, deposed he did not see the boat coming down the- harbour. Mr Galvin remarked that he saw a boat at Kiwi Point. Witness looked and saw a piece of sail and a plank shining on the weather side. Witness and others got a boat and went off to give assistance. When they got to the place they found the boat on her lee side full of water. On the weather side one plank was out. She could not capsize, as the mast was too high. A coat was still in her .vnd also the rowlocks. There was not fifteen fent of waten theie. The ballast was ?, lai go stone mor on one side of her. The rudder was unshipped. Shortly afterwards they found Prior's body. Witness had boen used to boats all his life, and a boat builder for thirty years. The boat was a eood safe oiu>. People go m boats upon the river who do not understand them, and carry a boom with everything fastened, the consequence being that they are bound to go over when a squ ill catches them. A well had been made in the boat for ballast under the floor, at»d had it been placed there it would have been better, It was wrong to carry so much hail in rough weather. It was very squally at Kiwi Point, and the wind caught her aback, had there been no boom the accide it would not have happened. The Coroner having addressed the jury, the following verdict was returned: — "flmt the deceased, Thomas Pi ior, on ( )ctober 15th, met his death by the accidental upsettingof a boat in coming down the R;igLvn harbour, and attach blame to no one in the matter, but, as a rider, they would cautijm unexperienced persons using boats not to use a boom ft« that often appears to be the cause t f boat accidents in l'uugh weather."