RECOVERY OF MAN'S BODY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 115, 13 May 1912, Page 5

RECOVERY OF MAN'S BODY.

i ■ — ♦ I THE CORONER'S INQUEST.

The .body of the late John Hickey, laborer, of Redwoodtown,. who had been missing since the night of the 2nd .hist., was recovered in the Opawa. River yesterday afternoon. Aii inquest, conducted •by Mr R. S. Floranee, Coroner, without a jury, was •opened in the Courthouse this movning. The following evidence was taken: — ,- Francis Kennedy, carpenter, Redwoodtown, said that he was a'son-in-law of the deceased. He recognised the body to be thati of John Hickey, who was 71 j-ears of age. The deceased was a native of Ireland, County Kerry, and had been in New Zealand about 52 years. The witness was in the deceased's company on the afternoon of the 2nd inst,, at 5.30 o'clock, at the Empire. Hotel. On tliat occasion the"deceased was sober, acid quite able to take charge of himself. The witness, who lived with Mr and. Mrs Hickey, tried to get him to return home. He got him three bottles of draught beer. . The deceased said he had better get a third one, as he would be bad next morning. The deceased got a bottle of paint from the rear of the hotel, filled his pipe, and returned to the witness. The deceased asked for a cab, and the witness said "You are all right; walk home with, me." The deceased! turned on his heel and walked away. The witness followed at a close distance, and asked him to come back, but he would not. He then left him. The deceased- went in the direction of Market Place, and seemed in good, health and spirits. John McKinley, barman at the Marlborough Hotel, said he saw the deceased between 10 and 15 • minutes past nine o'clock, between-the Bank of New Zealand corner and the Marlborough Hotel. They did not speak. Th« deceased did not appear- to be very sober. The .witness had known tjhe. deceased for several years and had seldom seen, him the worse for drink.