INQUEST.

Evening Star, Issue 6590, 2 May 1884, Page 1

INQUEST.

Ah inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Edgar King, who was drowned in the Taieri River while crossing the railway bridge, was held at the Crescent Hotel, Greytown, yesterday afternoon, before the district coroner (Dr M'Caw). The following evidence was taken : John King, aged fifteen: The deceased Edgar King was my father. lam at present working on Mr Sinclair's Lakeholme Farm, Berwick. On Tuesday last my father came for me to come home to go with him to Auckland. We left Berwick about halfpast five to catch the train at Henley for Dunedin. We just missed the train, and then we concluded to walk to Mosgiel to catch the late train to Dunedin. We were told to go across the railway bridge and then itrike the main road. When we were on the bridge I told my father to be careful and not stumble over a plank which was on the bridge. I then went ahead, and shortly after I heard a knock, and then I saw that my father had fallen into the river. When I saw what had happened I screamed, and my cries brought some of Mr Shand's men to the scene. He was about seventy years of age, and was lately working as a tailor at the New Zealand Clothing Factory. I identify the body as that of my father. The reason we wanted to get to Dunedin that night was that we wished to go to Auckland by the brig Camille next morning. My mother has been dead for some time.

Charles Mills, laborer, Milton, at present ■working at Henley, repairing the railway fences, said that he saw the deceased on Tuesday evening about six o'clock ; the last witness was with him then. He asked witness how far it was to Mosgiel, and seemed very excited about losing the train at Henley. There was nothing to show that deceased had had any liquor. Thomas Fisher, ganger en the railway between Otakia and Greytown, gave evidence that there were caution boards prohibiting anyone from trespassing. He flad cautioned several people about going over the bridge. It was safe enough for those employed on the railway to cross, as there are two planka to walk upon. Constable Mackenzie, of Outram, gave evidence as to searching for the body at the spot indicated by the first witness, John King. After a search of four or five minutes he found the body about 20ft from the bank, and in about 10ft of water. The body was then removed to Greytown. On the body being searched a number of papers and letters were found ; also a watch, and a purse containing L 3 Is lid in gold and silver. There were two planks on the bridge about Bin wide each, and he did not consider the bridge a safe crossing for any aged or infirm person, more especially in the dark, From the bridge to the water would be about 14ft. The body was found almost in tho exact spot indicated by the first witness. The people around the place had searched for the body up to midnight but without effect, and this showed that no means were left to recover it while any hope of life lasted.

The jury found that he met his death by being accidentally drowned while crossing the railway-bridge over the Taieri River at Otakia, and that no blame is attached to anyone in the matter.