DEATH OF WILLIAM JONES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 260, 20 October 1911, Page 5

DEATH OF WILLIAM JONES.

ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. At the Hastings Morgue this morning the District Coroner. Mr. S. E. McCarthy, held an inquest on the bedy of William Jones, aged 76 years, who was found dead in a water-race at the rear of his residence in Seiwood road on Wednesday evening last. Sergeant Hogan conducteel the enquiry on behalf of the police. Mary Jones, daughter of deceased. gave evidence that her father was about 76 years of age. and received an old age pension. Last saw him alive between 5 and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, when he was in the house. He went outside shortly after. Witness thought he had gone out to sit on the verandah. As he did not return witness and her mother went cut to look for him. Next saw him lying dead near a creek at the back of the house. The creek was about a foot deep. Deceased had been feeble of late. Thomas McKibbin. medical practitioner, deposed that lie conducted a post mortem examination on the body and found that death was due to drowning. There were no marks of violence- beyond a scratch on the face, probably caused by struggling. The re was no sign oi recent alcoholic drinking. He showed signs of a failing heart, the heart and lungs being diseased. Alfred Chaney, labourer. living near eleceaseel’s late- hose, said he was going home- about 6.15 on Wednesday e vening last and saw the deceased lying in a drain face downwards, his feet being on the bank. The head was covered with water. Pulled him out, but he was then quite elead. Deceased had a bucket hanging on his right arm, and had apparently been m the- act of getting water. Witness informed the police ami the- body was re-moved to the morgue. The Coroner returned the following verdict: - The deceased, William j Jones, nu t his death by accidental drowning on the evening of the 18th October. 1911. between 5 and 6.39 p.m. . • - - - 1 - -- ■ .