DROWNING FATALITIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 3

DROWNING FATALITIES.

FISHERMAN'S LONELY END. j An inquest touching the death of a middle-aged man. Mr. Robert Dunn, whose body was found on the mud flat near the Papakura Channel on Wednesday, was held before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. yesterday. The* evidence showed that deceased had lived alone in a hut on a small island. His father visited the island on Tuesday, hut as he could not see any trace of deceased he informed the police. A fishing net and a pair of oarwcre found lying in the mud and the body of deceased was later found in the" vicinity of his dinghy anchorage. The medical evidence showed that the body appeared to have been in tiie water for about five days and that there were no marks of violence. Evidently deceased fell into the water while preparing his dinghy for a fishing trip. A verdict that death was due to drowning was returned. WASHED UP AT TAKAPUNA. The body of a middle-aged man which was found on the Narrow Neck end of Takapuna beach yesterday has since been identified as that of John Laird. The sum of £13 in notes was found in the clothing of the dead man. From tho appearance of the body it had been in the water for some days. .An inquest was opened before Mr. F. K. Hunt. S.M., to-day, when the body was identified by John Cochrane, a ship's fireman. Witness stated that the deceased was formerly a greaser on the Kaikari. He had known deceased for 15 years. Witness last saw him alive on Thursday -May Ist, in Hobson Street, when he was quite sober. The inquest was then adjourned. BODY FOUND IX HARBOUR. The body of a man named James Maye was found floating in the harbour in the vicinity of Prince's wharf yesterday. Deceased was formerly a fireman on the steamer West Katan. An inquest was opened before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., this morning, Sergeant Flanagan representing the police. Evidence of identification was given by Robert Flannagan, who stated that deceased was a ship's fireman who had been paid off tho Marama. Witness kept company with deceased, who was a native of Ireland, for about a week, and last saw him alive at 10 a.m. on May 7th, at Victoria Park. The inquest was then adjourned to a date to be fixed by the police.