INQUEST.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VI, Issue 60, 22 July 1897, Page 4

INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday at the Courthouse, touching the death of the late Edward Solly, before E. Davidson, Esq., Coroner, and the following jury Messrs J. Walker (foreman,, T. Young, A. Humphreys, 11. Carrington, E. Braddock, and 11. Rogers. Charles Arthur Brown : Carter, Rockville. On Wednesday the 14th inst., I was driving a waggon behind Solly. We were going to Mr Brewer’s, Kaituna, for potatoes. We attempted to cross the Aorere, at the Maori Pah Crossing, as an hour would be saved by not going round by the Bridge. Solly entered the river first with his waggon. We crossed the first stream all right, but when we got into the second stream we found the current was too strong, and the horses were swept down stream. The horses went swimming down stream making for the side from which we had started. The two leaders touched ground, and immediately the other four horses and waggon swung round and pulled the leaders off their feet again. The leaders then came round on the top t ide of the waggon and knocked Edward Solly off. The horses became entangled up and sank. I never saw him again. There was a small fresh in the river and we stayed on the bank and consulted about crossing, and concluded it was safe. Solly has been in the habit of crossing at the same place frequently, and knew the ford well. I have crossed there only four times myself. I have been searching for the body since the accident. Walter Solly and I found the body this morning in the Aorere River, at the mouth of the Kaituna, about a mile below where the accident happened in five or six feet of water. With the help of the search party we got the body out of the river, and brought it to the Collingwood Hotel, where it is now 1} ing.

Arthur Whelham : Miner, Takaka. I knew the deceased Edward Soliy. I have seen the body, and identify it as that of the late Edward Solly. I came from Takaka with others to assist in searching for the body. One of the party searching lower down tbe river came and informed us they had found the body. I assisted to get it out, and it was brought down to the Collingwood Hotel, where it now lies. I always understood the deceased was a good and careful driver. George Willis Riley : Hotel-keeper, Collingwood, and owner of waggons carting timber from the mills. I knew the deceased, Edward Solly, who was in my employ. He had been in charge of a team and waggon for some time. He was a good driver ; looked well after his horses ; and 1 could fully trust him. I was at West Wanganui on the day of tie accident. Ila t saw him alive on the Sunday previous to the accident. I saw ihe body today. After a short retirement,

The Jury returned the following verdict : “ That the deceased, Edward Solly, came to his death whilst attempting to cross tbe Aorere River during a smalt fresh, on Wednesday, 14tl) July, 1897.” [Mr F. Stallard aged as Constable in the ab once of Constable Dew.]