CORONER'S INQUEST.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 66, 13 July 1865, Page 3

CORONER'S INQUEST.

A.n inquest was held in the New Bridge Hotel,., on Tuesday last, before John Dewe, Esq., coroner, on the body of a mau named William Halley, who accidentally fell into The river and was drowned on Saturday afternoon. The following evidence was adduced :— Gribson Young, father-in law of deceased, and . who lives close by the river, said that about four .. o'clock on Saturday afternoon he saw deceased, who was about to cross the river on a plank, for the purpose of fetching some barrels. Witness besought him not to do so, as the river was jcery high, and over the plank. Deceased would' go» and the water on the plank took him over $he knees. He ti:;d the barrels with flax and thiew them into the river, but the flax brok?, and deceased re-crqssirit? the plank went down the river side after the barrels, and went into the water to stop them. Witness called to him not to do sc> or he would be drowned. He took a rail from *= the fence, and witness went and laid a hand on him to stop him, but he said, " Oh, father, lefc - me go ; I can't help it." So witness left him* but watched him till he got to a hollow place. Being called away to another. place, witness lost sight of deceased, but another man who was there said 'he thought he saw deceased going home on the other side of the river. Deceased had thrown off his coat when with them, and a a he did not return for i', witness (about 8 o'clock) took it to deceased's house, and found that he had not returned. Information was given to the police. Deceased was quite sober. Witness identified the body as that of William Halley. Constable Pilkington deposed to the river, having been searched and dragged during Sunday night and until the body was found on Monday, about half a mile below the,plank. Adolph Weber, a legally, qualified medical man, deposed to having examined the body, which did; not exhibit any marks of violence ; andori#pbst mortem examination the cause_ of death "vf as : found to be suffocation by drowning. - V *C\; v^c^ The Jury returned a vefdicff'bf " Accidentally drowned, and added the following.rider:^" We would at the same time beg to record our high* estimation of the zeal and energy exhibited bjr Mr Peter Ealam, Mr Jame3 Richardson, and Mj? Henry Grosgrove ;" the two forinej; of those gea- ' tletnen dragged the river on a m6st severe .frosty;; ' night, up to their middle in water ; and wo regret that no funds are at our disposal to reward such 1 exertions in a pecuniary manner. : ■-..".'*^ H .:'..-