DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 679, 31 March 1909, Page 7

DROWNING FATALITY.

THE INQUEST. VERDICT OF SUICIDE. An inquest on the body of William Ernest Vickers Haviland, fonud drowned in the Mauawatn river, was held before Oapt, Mowlem, Distriot Coroner, yesterday. The following jury eat:-D.- Sinclair (foreman), A. Levy, P. Anderson, J. Batlnr, J, Pago nud G. P. Janett. Dr. Putnam stated he had made a poßt mortem examination of deceased at the morgue, the body being that of a man of medium build, about oft. 7in. in height. Decomposition had set in, but the organs were in a fairly healthy oonditiou. Indications wore that death resulted from drowning and that the body had been in the water from two to four weeks, He had discoveted in the left hand side pocket a stone about 51ba iu weight and one in the right hand pocket weighing about 81bs. John Harker, groom at the Denbigh Hotel Stables, Voilthng, submitted a written statement that he had known deceased well, He came to Feilding about 12 months ago and worked as porter at Hastie's, the Denbigh and the Empire Hotels. He had been about ten years in. New Zealand; was divorced from his wife in Loudon. He had two children. He had written to witness from Palmeretou about a week after lie had loft Feilding, asking for money. Witness did not send any. When lie was out of work he grew despondent and said he would pnt a stop to it. He was a man who drank heav-

ily. Witness didn't know the address of any of deceased's relatives in Loudon. Alice Neary, of Duke street, had met deceased on the Palmerstou railway station on Maroh 9th. He was then out of work and she promised to try and obtain him a billet, but was unsuooßSßful. She had not seen him since. Deceased was quite sober when she saw him, although he occasionally gave way to drink. He told her he would send a bundle of washing along for her to do. On his telling her he had no money to pay tor the washiDg she offered to do it for nothing. As far as she knew he had no money or valuables in his possession. Henry Ryuold Miller j deposed to having found the body iu the river. The face was under water. James Sweeney, constable at Feilding, said he knew the deceased. He saw him last about Ist February. Dooeased was very much addioted to drink, and always seemed muddled. He had seen the body at the morgue and from the general appearance he would say it was that of William Ernest Viokers Haviland. The jury returned a verdiot that deceased William Ernest Viokers Haviland had committed Buioide by drowning himself in the Manawatu river during a fit of melanoholy brought on through laok of employment.