THE DROWNING OF CAPTAIN HEWSON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10047, 6 February 1896, Page 5

THE DROWNING OF CAPTAIN HEWSON.

——■ <> ■■■ ■ Yesterday morn the steamer Planet roturned from Wa'iroa South, bringing tho body of Captain l.lewson, which was taken to his lato residiiDice, Hargroaves-street, Fonsonby, and will he interred at Waikomiti this afternoon, the funeral leaving at one o'clock. Late r particulars of the fatality state that M onday night was exceptionally dark, and at < the Waitda was going up tho river it was found that one of the propellers was obstrt wted by a rope getting foul of it; and bhe ateamor was taken to the landing at Mr. Barter's property, ib being the intention to remain until daylight, when the (obstruction would be removed. Captain Howson was observod standing just belo\c the bridge, and it is surmised thab he i ittompted to gain that part of the sl> samer in order to give instructions t< i tho engineer below through the speaking ? tube connecting the bridge with tho (mgitioroom. It was Captain Hewson's usual custom to grasp the rail round the r.beps and jump up on the bridge, and as rj no rail has been found to be broken it is tfa ought that one of tho bolts holding it gave way with the heavy strain, with the ra iulb that ib came back with bremondous fa rce, striking him on the forehead just above the nose, and throwing him into tho wab jr. The attention of those on board was drawn by hearing the splash as Captain H lewson struck the water, and Mr. H. Langli iy, a passenger, quickly throwing off his cilothes jumped into the wator. He succeeded in getting hold of tho captain and bold him above water until the dingy of the sbearner was lowered, and picked them up. Captain Hewson was then taken to a <:Ottage on Mr. Barter's property and ever]' means tried to restore him, for fully iui hour and a-half; but without success, a nd he breathed his last, nevor having recov ered consciousness. An inquest was hold before Mr. D McLennan, coroner, on Tuesday afternoon, a verdict of " Accidental Drowned," being returned.