INQUEST ON WILLIAM GODFREY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 230, 29 September 1890, Page 4

INQUEST ON WILLIAM GODFREY.

A SEVERE RIDER,

An Inquest was held this morning ab Gleeson's Hotel, Hobson-sbreeb, on the body of William Godfrey, the man who was drowned on the 14th inst., off the hulk 'Senator. Dr. Philson, coroner, presided, and a jury of six deliberated on tho evidence.

John Whittingham deposed to discovering the body in Freeman's Bay at about a quarter-past one on Saturday, and Constable Mackay deposed to bringing the body to the morgue. Edward Mundell identified the body as that of William Godfrey.

Robert Sopwith, chief officer of the s.s. Arawata, deposed that he was directing the work on the hulk Senator at the time of the accident. Deceased had to go from the Senator to the John Knox, and in doing so slipped arid fell into the water. Witness heard him call for help, but did not sco him.

Ernest W. Mair, a coal-trimmer, deposed to seeing deceased fall into the waber. Witness tried to geb tho boat oub to go to his assistance, but the boat was tied up, and then witness swam to his aid. - Deceased, however, caught hold of witness and drew • him under tho water. Witness then had to shake himself free and was able to do nothing more for Godfrey. Witness was some time struggling wibh deceased, bub had to swim back to the hulk, and Godfrey was nob seen afber.

Afterconsideration tho jury returned a verdict of " Accidental drowning," with a rider " that ib was an error on the mate's part in not throwing a rope to the unfortunate man after hearing him cry out for one ; as the man appeared to have been struggling for nearly five minutes, and only one man trying to save him."