PARUA BAY FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 16 March 1915, Page 6

PARUA BAY FATALITY.

i ii 11..—— m i ' THE CORONER'S INQUEST. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, Monday. An inquest was held yesterday by Mr. J. M. liillen (coroner) on the bodies of Alfred Bertram Cann and Thomas Ryan, victims of tbe boating fatality at Parua Bay last Friday. Ernest Chaffey, farmer, of Kamo, who evidently was much dis- | tressed, and was accommodated with a seat in Court, stated that on the 12th inst be was at Parua Bay with the two ! deceased. He knew Cann previously, but it was the first time be had met Ryan. Cann and witness had been staying at Parua Bay Hotel since the previous Wednesday. On Friday morning Ryan offered to take them fishing with him in bis launch CiceL However, it was not till the afternoon that they embarked in a dinghy, -which -was handy in a cdve near by. The launch was anchored out about 150 yards from the shore, lying in the channel. Tbe seawas rough, but 'Ryan did not consider it dangerous. It was blowing hard with a strong tide. They all three embarked, sitting, in the bottom of the dinghy, : which was small. 'Ryan wag using the i sculls. About half-wa-y out the dinghy i' started to ship water. Eyan continued sculling. Witness said to Rvan, "We shall never get there." That was when they were about two boats' lengths away |from the launch. Ryan replied "What |nonsense!" but Cann said. "No; I don't j think we will." They made no head- ! waj-, but receded from the launch by the force of the tide and wind. Suddenly the dinghy filled and -went down under them. All three could swim, and they struck out for the launch. Witness managed to reach this after a jrreat struggle, quite exhausted. Witness hung on to the launch for some time to recover his strength, and eventually managed to clamber on board. Witness threw a box over, also two ropes, to Ryan and Cann. The latter appeared to be already drowned as his head was submerged, but Ryan was still swimming feebly. One of the ropes fell across Ryan's shoulder, but he did not seem to be able to grip it or make a conscious effort, although witness repeatedly shouted to him. There was no other help at hand. Witness continued shouting, and, after some time two, men Ted Dent and another, came with a boat. They took witness off and landed him. It was then about 3 p.m. Witness then rang up the police. Witness had never seen Ryan before he met him on tbe fatal day. He knew Cann slightly as a fellow countryman. They both came from Exeter, in Cornwall, England. They were all thoroughly sober when they got into the dinghy. It was not till they got halfway out to the launch that witness realised the dinghy was too small. They bad pinned their faith on Ryan, who was a fisherman.

Percival John Norwood_(lnspector of Factories in Whangarei), testified that he was at Parua Bay on tbe day of the fatality. About 2 p.m. witness learnt that two men, Ryan and Cann bad been drowned. Witness got a boat, and, with the assistance of two men. went out to look for the bodies. They discovered Ryan floating behind tbe launch, abo'i*; 100 yards away. Tbe water, was shallow and the body was drifting towards the shore. The tide was coming in strong, and the wind was blowing a gale. Cann was sighted near by. 'Ryan bad a. rope across bis shoulders when picked up. It was not fastened to him. The two bodies were hauled into a dinghy, and taken aebore. They were botb quite dead when picked up.

James Reid, bookkeeper for Messrs. Wilson and Wilson, of Whangarei, deposed that he had identified the body of Alfred Bertram Cann. His age was 28/ 'Witness had known him for 15 months. Cann wag employed as a canvasser by Messrs. Wilson -and Wilson, of Whangarei. He belonged to Exeter in England, and was a married- man irith a family :of four, all girlß, livinff in Exeter, their &ges ranging from six months to seven years. Tbe deceased Oann was on busircss in Parua Bay on tbe day of the accident. David Patrick Fitsgibboni JJP., identified the body of Thomas Ryan. ' He was a labourer who used to work on scows, fishing boats, and sometimes ashore. He was a single man aged about 40. 'Witness had known Ryan for about ten yearn, and believed he was a native of Auckland. Nothing was known as to his relations. He was a powerful swimmer, and fond of swimming. He was a temperate man.

. A verdict was returned that " Cann and Ryan came to their death by occidental drowning in Whangarei .Harbour en tbe 12th March."