INQUEST ON THE BODY OF THE LATE JOSEPH SIVA.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXXI, Issue 5571, 5 July 1875, Page 3

INQUEST ON THE BODY OF THE LATE JOSEPH SIVA.

Ax inquest was held on Saturday afternoon by Dr. Philaon and a jury of twelve, at the Freeman's Bay Hotel, to enquire into the death of Joseph Siva, alias Corea. — The jury, having chosen John Campbell as their fore* man and viewed the body, received the following evidence : — Gerard John Francis, seaman, belonging to the cutter 'Rob Roy,' deposed that he had known deccaspd for about tivo mouths as a seaman on board the • Albiou,' and lately on board the 'Rob Roy.' He was about 40 years of age. He was a Portuguese, and native of the Azores, or Western Islands. He was a sober man. Witness last saw him alive on Friday morning, about six o'clock, on board the ' Rob Roy,' when they had just anchored inside the breakwater. They were the only persons on board. Deceased told witness to go down below and tum-in wlulo he remained on deck to coil the ropes. Witness weut below and lay down on a locker. In about ten minutes a schooner passed the stern of the ' Rob Roy,' and wituess went on deck in order to see what vessel it was, and because he was afraid she would run foul of their dingy, which was fastened to the stern. He could not understand whose coat was on the top of the companion. Ho looked for deceased, but could not iiiul him. Witness then got into the dingy, and looked between the cutter and the breakwater. Day was just breaking, and he could see some distance all round. Then he went ashore, and looked for the skipper, whom he found near the market. They, together, went to look for the deceased, and, not finding him, weut ashore again and reported the tact of his being missing to the polico. The grapnel was procured, and tho harbour, in the neighbourhood of the cutter, Man dragged. The body was found about h.ilfpast 10, some ten or twelve yards from the cutter, and taken at once to the dciul house. Witness had no quarrel with deceased. They were countrymen, witness being a native of Brazil. Witness did not push him overboard. He had no doubt deceased had fallen ovci board accidentally, when obeying a call of nature. Deceased had taken no drink that morning. They had two glosses of brandy each the night before. They had brought nothing on board with them. The captain always stops on shore *t night. ->- John McGurney, master of the 'Rob Roy,' corroborated tho evidence of the last witneis, —Sergeant Henry Martin, of the Water Police, deposed to having received information from the last witness, and having been present when the body was found and conveyed to the dead-house.— "-The jury at onct letunied a verdict of Found drowned.