DROWNED IN THE HARBOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1915, Page 2

DROWNED IN THE HARBOUR.

A SEAMAN'S DEATH. An unfortunate drowning accident occurred at the Riverhead wharf late last night. The small steamer Kaipatiki, one of the vessels plying in the harbour for Messrs. Bradney and Binns, was about to leave the Riverhead wharf when some difficulty was found in casting loose one of the linee securing the vessel to the jetty. A man named O. J. Hagh, one of tlie deck hands, consequently stepped on to the wharf and releaeed the rope. The master of the steamer, Captain V. Bradney, warned Hagh to be careful in jumping back to the deck, ac there was a choppy sea running, whioh had carried the boat out from the wharf. The captain had turned his head when he heard a splash in the water alongside, and, looking over, saw Hagh struggling for a hold upon the side of the steamer. A life-belt was soon obtained, but by this time the man had disappeared from sight. The epot was dragged for about a quarter of an hour, and the dead body of the unfortunate man was ultimately recovered.

Hagh was a married man, about 50 years of age, nnd lived with his wife and grown-up family in Upper Queen Street. It is understood that he had been a sea-faring man; he had been in the employ of Messrs. Bradney and Binns for about three months.

At the inquest this afternoon, held before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., District Coroner, a verdict of death due to drowning, no blame being attachable to anyone, was returned.