THE MANUKAU FATALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 53, 4 March 1926, Page 6

THE MANUKAU FATALITY.

INQUEST AT OXEHUXGA. An inquiry into the circumstances at- ' tending the'death of Mr. Edward Fleming, who disappeared from the launch Mavis in the Manukau Harbour last Sunday morning, was held at Onehunga this morning by Mr. D. A. Sutherland, district coroner. The body was found yesterday afternoon in Waikowhai Bay by Mr. F. G. Pratt, and was removed to Onehunga by the police. Mr. X. E. C. Wilson said the launch Mavis left Onehuuga for Orua Bay at J about 11 p.m. on Saturday. When they ■ readied Waikowhai Bay about half an hour afterwards they decided to anchor for the night owing to the bad weather. Shortly afterwards they began to fish. , Deceased was quite sober, j Charles H. 0. Faulie, third engineer lof the s.s. Hinemoa. identified the body as that of Edward Fleming whom he had known since last June as chief steward of the Government steamer Hinemoa. Describing the accident, witness said that between midnight and one o'clock on Sunday morning last the i deceased and others were fishing. They knocked off shortly before one o'clock for supper, and after that Fleming went on deck to adjust the ventilator from the wind. Witness heard him go along the deck and then return a pace or two, when the steps suddenly stopped. As deceased did not return to the cabin, Mr. A". Wilson, who was in charge of the Mavis, went on deck followed by witness who heard a voice calling for help from : the water. It was Fleming that had (called, and he was about 20 or .'M yard 3 astern of the launch. Witness pulled up the anchor and Mr. Wilson started the engine. He then jumped overboard in an attempt to rescue Fleming, who had, however, disappeared, leaving two coats in the water. They cruised round for about two hours, but as they did not i tind the deceat-ed they returned to Onehunga and re-ported the fatality to the police. Mr. Wilson was commended by the coroner for hie prompt action in jumping overboard fully dressed. The coroner said the deceased must have slipped, ami, falling overboard, was accidentally drowned. Jl e returned a verdict accord-