SAD CASE OF DROWNING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4326, 28 March 1884, Page 3

SAD CASE OF DROWNING.

One of the.most distressing cases of drowning that have occurred here for some time past happened at an early hour this morning. Very soon after midnight cries for help were heard by several persons proceeding from the direction of the North Shore Ferry tee on the Queen-street Wharf. Constable Rowles, who was on duty at the top of the wharf, Mr Drake, who heard the cries while in the vicinity of the Britomart Hotel, and one of the Coromandel's hands, Knight, heard the shouts, and naturally concluded that someone had fallen into the water and was in danger of drowning. They all hurried in the direction from which the sounds proceeded, and found a youth struggling in the water on the town side of the ferry tee. Constable Rowles had brought the water-police life-buoy down the wharf with him, and this was thrown close to the lad's hand, while another buoy thrown by Mr Knight also fell close to him. It was, however, quite apparent that he could not swim and he sank before he could reach either means of safety. Mr Charles Robuon, steward of the Coromandel, brought a boat from the watermen's steps, but it was then too late to render assistance. Messrs Barron (waterman) and Brake dragged for the body, which was found about two o'clock this morning. It was identified as that of a youth of 17 named William Breon, who is in tho employ of a Mr Angelo, fishmonger, and whose parents reside in Lomestreet. It would appear to have been part of his duty to await the arrival of the Ai>ne Milbank last night, and take delivery of a consignment of fish. He was found asleep on tho window sill of Mr Darby's boarding-house by Constable Donovan a short time beforo the occurrence, and having been roused up, proceeded down the wharf. He was in conversation with Constable Rowles at the head of the wharf subsequently, and stated to him that he felt very sleepy, not having been to bed on the previous night, and that if the steamer did not come in soon he would go away and get to bed. It is conjectured that having gone down tho wharf, he was leaning against one of the piles, or pier-heads, and that being sleepy ho lost consciousness and fell orerboard. The body was taken to the reside.nee of his parents to await an inquest. THE INQEST.

An inquest on the body of deceased was held nt the Ureybound Hotel this afternoon, before Dr. Philson. Coroner, and a jury, of whom Chaa. O'Connor was elioaen foreman. Acting-Sergeant McConnell represented tho police. The body having been viewed, the following evidence was aildueed :—

Denis Itowles, police constable, doposed that ho was not acquainted with tho deceased. He 1/aWtsoen the b idy to-day at tho residence of deceased's father in Lornc-atrcet. This morning, about 10 minutes pa.it 12, he heard a splash in tho water. He was standing on duty at tho woighbridge, Qneen-street Wharf, at )h<! time. The splash in the water was followed by cries for holp. Ho immediately . seized a life buoy which was hanging eloso by, and running down the wharf saw a man struggling in the water, opposito the eocond lamp, on tho right hand side of tho wharf from Quoon-stroet. Witness threw the lifebuoy to him, but he did notion' eh it. He miido no attempt to grasp it, it being out of his reach, having fallen short of hini. Could not say whether he saw it, but witness called our. to him to lay hold of it. Helicve he did not soe it; that he was drowning at tho time. Tho night wns dark. A sailor from tho Coromandel named Knight brought a lifebuoy, and throw it so close that it touched deceased. Ho did not, however, take hold of it, and sank a few seconds aftui'wards. Ho had re peatedly called " ifelo" during this time and his last words were, " Bring the clingy. Charles Robson, steward of the Coromandel was coining to his assistanco in a boat, but old not reach him in tlmo. About three minutes elapsed from the tjme ho heard tho splash until deceased sank. Witness was speaking to deceased on tho wharf about miduight lie said ho was looking out for the Thames boat, which was to arrivo with llsh. He was perfectly sober at that, time, but stnt id to witness that ho wns very tired, as ho had been up all tho previous ni.^ht, and that if the bout did not soon come ho would go home and have a sleep. He subsequently wont down Iho wharf. [Loft sitting.)