INQUEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2476, 24 May 1888, Page 2

INQUEST.

Tub inquest on the body of the late Mr Brown, who was drowned in the Wnikato river, was held at Taupiri on Wednesday by Mr Searancke, district coroner. There was no evidence lo show how the deceased met his fate, and a verdict (if "Accidental death" was returned by the jury. . The following is a precis of the evidence : Mr I. Coatee deposed, 1 saw the deceased last on 14th April, between 11 and 12 mid-day. Met him in the Post-office. Hamilton, and stood talking to him for some time, and lie said he wished to see J. Booth. I informed him he was over the river in Hamilton East. He left me and went in the direction of Gwynne's Hotel. His object to see the Booth's was in reference to loading the sleepers. He was not the worse for liquor. Mr C. J. W. Barton deposed: Saw the deceased last on the morning of the 14th April, between 11 and 12 o'clock. Walked down the street as far as the Bank of New Zealand with him. He was anxious to see the Messrs Booth in reference to loading some sleepers at the Hamilton Kast railway station. He left me and went in the direction of the hotel with my two children. Heard afterwards that lie went away with the intention of seems the Booths. The day was a squally one. In witness' opinion he had fallen off the railway bridge while endeavouring to cross to see the Booths. Deceased was of a nervous and excitable disposition, but was one of the last men in tho world likely to commit suicide. _ R. Monds, Btoreman Public }} orks Department, Auckland, deposed : 1 knew tho deceased. 1. came up to try and find him, as he had been missed frovn his work for some weeks. I and a native went in a canoe down tho river from Ngaruawahia, when about 1} miles from Ngaruawahia 1 found the body in a willow bush, lying on its back, and brought it on to Taupiri. I recognise tho body by the clothes, as the body of J. Browne. The disfigurement was too great to recognise him by a peculiarity about the toe next the great toe on the left foot, which had bean broken in early life. 1 have known tho deceased for twelve years, he was of a nervous temperament. He was, I consider, a steady man, and always able to transact his business.