Sad Drowning Case in the River Avon.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XVI, Issue 1640, 3 April 1895, Page 3

Sad Drowning Case m th e River Avon.

Christghuroh, April 1, Yesterday morning (he body of Mr Thomas M'Gam, formerly foreman of way and works on tbe Canterbury section of tbe railways, was foand m the river Avon, near Wood's mill. It will be remembered that some months after Mr M'Garva bad been transferred to Otago, certain allegations were published as to the condition of bridges on the southern section. He was accused of having supplied information which led to the publication of the statements, and after ah official inquiry, was retired, receiving compensation. This seems to have preyed upon hi* mind, and he became despondent and morbid. On Saturday morning before six o'clock he left his home at Sydenham and as he did not return his family be-^ came anxious, informed the police, and started i i search for him. His son, Mr Frederick M Garva, organ'ued a party of his friends to examine the -iver. About thirty yards below tbe bridge he fonnd the body of his father lying m deep, water m the middle of the river near Wood's mill. His companion* joined him, and by means of a boat moored near, tb«y brought the corpse to the bank. Tbe police trap was sent for and oonveyed tbe boty to Mr M'GarvVs house m Madras Street, Sydflnhara. Nothing was found upon it to indicate that tbe deceased had committed snioide, and there were no marks of violence. Mr M'Garva was fifty-four years of age, avid had been some twenty-six years m the railway service when he retired. He I was not m poor qiroumstancps, He ! leaves a widow and a growßrUp family. An inquest totuohinor tbe death of deceased was held at his late residence at 9 a.m. to-day before Mr R. Beetham, coroner, and a jury. The evidence of Annie M'Garva, wifeof deceased, showed that that her husband had been m a df*» pressed fit«+e of «rin<] lately m conse- | quwnce of having lost his appointment. The jury returned a verdict of fonnd drowned, there being no evidence to show bow deceased got into tbe river.