THE PONSONBY CALAMITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 287, 3 December 1889, Page 5

THE PONSONBY CALAMITY.

INQUEST THIS AFTERNOON.

The customary inquest was held at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon afc Mr. Dufaur's residence, Ponsonby, in order to inquire Wiethe circumstances connected with the drowning of Mr Frederick Dufaur, which was mentioned in yesterday's issue. Dr Philson officiated as coroner and i Cons'bable'McConnell represented the police. The evidence adduced corroborated the facts published in yesterday's issuo. Mr Percy Dufaur stated thab at about 10.30 o'clock yesterday morning his brother frederick and himself went oub in a 16-foot boat to secure their yacht, which was drifting up fche harbour. The vessel was about 300 yards from the shore. He was pulling, and they had arrived within 50 yards of the yacht when the boab swamped and went down under, them. He asked his brother if, he could swim, and received fche reply that he could. They then bofch struck, out for the shore. The sea was very 'rough at the time, the wind being • from the north-east. They swam for some distance, and when ho looked round he missed his brother. He continued swimming until he came to a yacht which was about 50 yard* from the shore. He got on board the boat, and was then quifco e-hausted. Some time afterwards a boafc came off and took him ashore. He did nob see the boab after it swamped. She was rather narrow, for her - _ Farther evidence showed chat deceased was 45 years of age.^. being .the eldest son of the family. a widower, and had recently Vnyed in Auckland from Gisborne, The body_rf Mr Fred .Dufaur was eubsequently re covered by Messrs William Jg«** (aged 17) and .Richard Horton (aged 14). The aacidenb <was witnessed by MiX Dufaur and Mr J. B. Jackson, both of whom ran down *o the beach,but could not for Borne time &t a boat with owing to the larrikin-, residents m Fon sonby are unable to leave the latter about lest the boats should betaken BWy» mafcely, Mr Xhifaur went out and -brought his brother Percy ashore. " , The ii_quesb was sbill proceeding when we went to press. - ; !