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

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2236, 6 November 1886, Page 2

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

At last the body of Mr William Robertson has been found. It was seen lying on the beach just below the beacons (at the north head just inside the bar) by Mr Griffiths on Tuesday afternoon, November 2nd. The inquest was held at the Harbour View Hotel on the 3rd inst., at 11 a.m.. before Mr W. H. Wallis, J.P., and a jury consisting of the following, viz: — Messrs Charles Sutton (foreman), Edward Frizzel, George Moon, Samuel Vercoe, James Wylie and John Seals. The body having been viewed, Edward Griffiths stated, : l am a station hand in the employment of Studholme and Co. Between half-past two and three o'clock I was riding on the beach, and passed a body about a chain below high water mark on the north side of the harbour. I came on to the Station, and across to Raglan. I left word for the police that I had a body. I did not recognise the body, nor did I ex-

amine it. This was on Tuesday, November 2nd. I accompanied the police to bring up the body. William Bulford, the next witness called, said : I am a constable in charge of the district of Raglan. At 3.30 p.m. yesterday, November 2nd, Walter Moon came to my office and reported that Mr Griffiths had seen a body lying on the north beach near the beacons. I went and saw Mr Griffiths, who volunteered to accompany me down to where the body was lying. Mr George Moon and Sam also volunteered. We brought the body up to where it now lies. I examined it, and searched the clothing, and found a purse containing a cheque for £20 18s, drawn by Hunter and Nolan on the Bank, of New Zealand in favour of bearer, a £1 Bank of New Zealand note, and nine shillings ; also a small clasp knife and match-box. I can identify the body of deceased as the body of William Robertson drowned at the late boat accident at Patikuau. I was personally acquainted with William Robertson. The accident I refer to took place on the 15th of October last. I identify the body as that of William Robertson by the clothing and general outline of figure. Mrs Robertson also informed me that her husband left home with a cheque, but could give no description of the same. Mr George Moon, who accompanied me to bring up the body, immediately recognised the corpse as the body of William Robertson. Richard Galvin, stated : I am a blacksmith, residing at Raglan. I remember a boat accident happening on the 15th of last month. I saw a boat on that day coming down the harbour before the party went to render assistance. I was informed by Richard Wilson, one of the occupants of the boat at the time of the accident, that he had two companions, William Robertson and Thomas Prior. I have seen the body of deceased now lying here, and can fully identify it as the body of William Robertson. The jury brought in the following verdict: — "The jury are thoroughly satisfied by the evidence before them that the body now lying on these premises is that of the late William Robertson, who was drowned by the accidental upsetting of a boat in the Raglan harbour on the 15th October last."