OPEN VERDICT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 251, 4 August 1933, Page 3

OPEN VERDICT

YOUTH'S DEATH IN HARBOUR. '"VERY EXTRAORDINARY CASE." (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, August 3. Searching questions regarding alleged discrepancies in his statement were put to John Blackum Anderson by the police to-day at the inquest into the death of Edward Henry Hawkins, agsd 20, of Birkenhead, who is supposed to have been drowned in the Auckland Harbour, as a result of a boat capsizing, but whose body has not yet been recovered. On May 29 Hawkins's companion, Anderson, reported that their boat had capsized in the harbour, and that he had left Hawkins clinging to it, and himself had swam first to a hulk in the harbour, and later to the shore. He last saw Hawkins clinging to the drifting boat about noon. After reaching the hulk he collapsed, and it was some hours before he reached the shore. The police have since searched the foreshores, but no sign of the body was found. An inquest was opened to-day before the Coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt). Mr J. J. Sullivan watched the proceedings for Anderson, who was the first witness. He said Hawkins suddenly stood up in the boat and fell overboard. Witness jumped into the water after him. Hawkins gripped him, and after a struggle witness released himself and endeavoured to hold the boat while Hawkins climbed in. This effort failed, and the boat capsized. Clinging to Boat. The oars disappeared, and the boat began to drift, with Hawkins clinging to it. Witness swam, keeping out of reach of Hawkins, but the boat drifted faster, and got ahead. He then decided to swim to a hulk. He did so, and climbed up the anchor chain. He collapsed, and when he recovered he swam to near Bayswater Wharf, where two men helped him up the embankment and over the fence. He then went to a wharf shop and told the girl (Miss Craig) what had happened. The girl telephoned for the police. Anderson wa-s questioned at length by Detective-Sergeant Doyle concerning alleged discrepancies in his statement. Witness said he dived off the hulk and swam ashore. The Detective-Sergeant: If we' show there was not moro than two feet of water at the time, what do you say ? Witness: I deny that. Asked why, if he were friendly with Hawkins and his family, he did not notify them of the accident, he said that a constable told him not, to. He did not know which constable it was or when he told him. t The Detective-Sergeant: Do you still say that when you reached the embankment you were assisted by someone?—That's what I recollecc. Two witnesses will say you jumped over the fence.—l wouldn't say whether it were true or not. Did you tell a man named Davidson that Hawkins's body would never be found ?—He was very curious, and I told him, "I don't think they will ever find him." Did you say there would be no inquest as the police would never find the body?—No, I did not. Police inquiries. Reginald Tabuteau and Nance Bruon gave evidence that they saw Anderson swimming to Bayswater Wharf. He jumped over a fence six feet high and ran down the wharf to a shop. He did not appear distressed. The captain of a- ferry steamer said that though he was keeping a good look-out >jii his noon trip he saw no sign of fen upturned boat or of any person swimming. Detective McWhirter gave evidence regarding inquiries made. He said the foreshore had been thoroughly searched, and the harbour dragged by the police, but no trace was fcfund of the clothing described by Anderson as lost by him, of Hawkins's body, or of any of Hawkins's clothing. The Coroner (to the father of Hawkins): Is there any other inquiry you would like ? "I think the police and detectives have done their duty thoroughly," replied Mr Hawkins. The Coroner: I think so, too. A verdict was then returned that the cause of death was drowning on May 29. Coroner's Comment. "I must say it is very extraordinary —a very extraordinary case," commented the Coroner. ."It is strange that the punt, which Andejsoii said floated away wrong side up, should bo found 24 hours after right-side up. I leave the verdict at that—in other words, an open verdict." Counsel commented that there had been a fair inquiry and presentation of the facts by the police.