DEATH PRESUMED

Franklin Times, Volume XXX, Issue 123, 3 November 1941, Page 2

DEATH PRESUMED

RETIRED FARMER’S FATE WENT FISHING; STILL MISSING . BOAT WASHED ASHORE BUT BODY NOT RECOVERED The death by drowning, of Mr Alexander Murray Mclnnes, widower, aged 65, formerly of Maramarua, is presumed, and by direction of the Solic-itor-General an inquest was held at Kaiaua by the district coroner, Mr G. K. Lawrie, J.P. Mr Mclnnes, who was formerly farming in the Maramarua district, but who had been living in retirement at Kaiaua, went out fishing in the Thames Estuary on the morning of June 13, but did not return. His boat was discovered washed up in a damaged condition on the shore of the estuary two days later. The body has not been recovered.

Evidence was given at the inquest by Grey Rawhiri, a Maori youth, aged 16, that when working at Waihihi Point, on the shore of the estuary near Kaiaua, about 3.30 p.m. on June ' ’ 13, he noticed Mr Mclnnes’ boat, with a man in it, on the fishing ground some miles off shore. He saw r the boat from a high level. He knew it well, and was able to recognise it. Robert Evan Cochrane, fisherman, of Kaiaua, said that on the morning of June 13 Mr Mclnnes spoke to him before leaving by himself in his boat for the fishing ground. It was a 14ft open boat with a 2J horse-power inboard engine. Mr Mclnnes was wearing gumboots, a deerskin apron, and an oilskin coat. Witness exam- - ined the boat and the engine, when it was found washed up, and had come to the conclusion that Mr Mclnnes must have been bending over to starts the engine when a heavy sea caught the boat and caused him to fall over-, board. .

A verdict that Mr Mclnnes was accidentally drowned was returned by the coroner. He also complimented the police on the thorough nature of their inquiries, as revealed at the inquest.