ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 45, 4 February 1911, Page 5

ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS.

DROWNING FATALITIES. Wellington, Feb. 3. James Briggs, aged 59, hulkkeeper on the hulk Oreti, is believed to have been drowned tonight. The hulk was moored alongside the wharf. Briggs had been ashore. His wife, who was on the hulk, heard a groan, and hurried on deck, but no sign was seen of Briggs. As he did not return to the hulk it is supposed that he fell into the harbour. Wellington, Feb. 4. James Briggs, keeper of the coal hulk Oreti, and Alexander Stephens, newspaper seller, were drow*ned in the harbour last night. The hulk was moored at Queen’s Wharf, and Briggs went ashore for a few minutes, returning about 9 o’clock. Shortly afterwards Constable Tait heard groans under the wharf. Search was made, but Briggs could not be found. A southerly gale was blowing. The body was recovered this morning. Deceased was in former years employed on coastal boats. He leaves a widow and grown-up family.

The other man drowned, Alexander Stephens, aged 57, is supposed to have relatives in Auckland. It is’ thought he fell into the harbour, and that Briggs met his death in trying to rescue him. The body has been recovered. Later.

At the inquest on the body of Briggs, keeper of the coal hulk Oreti, evidence showed that deceased was quite sober. He evident!;, fell overboard from the forward part of the vessel, the gangway nor being lighted. A verdict of found drowned was returned. Evidence at the inquest on :i e body of Alex. Stephens, showed that deceased was slightly under the influence of liquor last night, and was seen in the vicinity of the hulk Oreti, evidently trying to get on board her. An open verdict w-.s returned. Christchurch, Feb. 3. Constable Whatman, of Little River, reported yesterday that the body of a man had been found in a creek at Little River. In his pockets were papers marked “A. Hayden,” also a letter signed “Labatt,” labour agent, Christchurch,” in which it was stated that there was work for the receiver of the letter at Holmes’, Pigeon Bay. There was no money in the pockets.