DROWNING FATALITY.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1456, 8 October 1924, Page 5

DROWNING FATALITY.

A distiessing fatality took place on Thursday when an ojd man Robert Proffit was drowned fin the Manuheiikia River. The deceased was a well known character in the town and general regret was experienced when the news was made known. The old man spent most of his time in mining two-thirds of the way up the Old Man rock arid used to make periodical visits into the town. An inquest was held on Friday afternoon before H. J. Dixon, Esq., coroner. Constable Sorrel! gave evidence that about 2 30 on Thursday he received word that a man had jumped into the Manuherikia River. He proceeded to the spot but there was no trace of the man. Dragging operations were undertaken without success till dark and were resumed on Friday morning when the body was recovered about 11.30 a.m. The deceased had been in the town about 9 days. He had noticed him outside the Caledonian Hotel about 12.40 on Thursday and he appeared to be quite rational. He had been under the influence of liquor previously but not bad. His sistor in Wellington had been communicated with. J. L. Cummock gave evidence that while ploughing at the back of the Criterion Hotel he noticed deceased running down to the bank of the river and taking off bis coat and vest let himself in the river. He immediately proceeded to the spot and deceased was clinging to a willow about 9 feet from the bank. He called out to him but was told to get away as they were after him. He immediately ran for assistance but on returning deceased had disappeared. He then notified the police. John Harper deposed that he assisted in dragging operations and hnd recovered the body about 11.30 a.m., on Friday. He was lying in about 9 feet of water. He had seen deceased during the day and he appeared quite rational. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide by drowning in the Manuherikia River. Deceased was buried in the local cemetery en Suuday afternoou.