PAREMATA TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 55, 14 September 1928, Page 14

PAREMATA TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST An inquest on Alexander Thomas Brown, of Paremata, who, with his brother, was drowned when a launch capsized at the entrance to Porirua Harbour on 23rd August, was held yesterday afternoon, before the Coroner (Mr. W. U. Riddell, S.M.). Harold Edward Hook, a nephew-of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. The deceased, he said, was a married man with four children and was an experienced fisherman. Alexander M'Kenzie, of Paremata, described 23rd August as a very rough day. He saw the brothers leave Paremata in their launch, which was the only boat to go out that day. Later he heard that she had foundered. Iv his opinion, the sole cause of the capsize was the rough weather. Albert Trevor, also of Paremata, gave evidence as' to finding the body of the deceased near where the capsize occurred on 9th September. Ernest Alfred Pickering, storekeeper, of Plimmerton, said that early in the afternoon of 23rd August he saw the launch about a mile out to sea and heading towards Mana Island. A few minutes later he noticed that the boat was returning to Paremata and he watched her progress through a pair of field-glasses. When she was about two hundred yards from South Head Point, near the entrance to the harbour, a big wave struck the boat and turned her round. The next wave capsized her. The boat floated for a few seconds and then disappeared. Witness saw' nothing of the deceased or his brother. He immediately advised the postm.nster at Plimmerton and others of the accident. Constable M'Kay, of Johnsonvllle, also gave evidence. A verdict was returned that the deceased was drowned in Porirua Harbour on 23rd August through his launch capsizing in the rough sea then running.