CORONER'S INQUEST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 204, 30 October 1866, Page 3

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday by the Coroner, W. W. Squires, Ksq., on the body of Sarah Rowley, who was found drowned in the Maitai. The following jury was sworn : — Mr. Rout, foreman, Messrs J. Avery, C. M'Cee, C. King, F. Anslow, J. C. Phillips, 11. Balme, W. Milner, A. Waxman, Jos. While, 11. Wright, Thos. Hubbard, Jas. Graham. The evidence adduced was as follows : — Joseph A. Harley examined said: I identify the body as that of Airs Rowley, the person I discovered lying in the River Maitai, this morning, as 1 was walking down the bank, between four and five, about -1-, yards below Collingwcod-bridge. I saw the uody lying on a shingle bed, in the centre ot the river. Seeing the body, I waded over to within 10 yards from it. The feet were out ot the water, the other part ol the body was covered. I then informed the police ; returned to the body and saw them remove it, and indentified it as that of Mrs Rowley. .Constable Bradcock: Shortly before 5 this morning I received information from the last witness that a body was lying in the Maitai river. I accompanied Mr. Harley, Sergeant-major Edwards, and three other constables to the spot. I saw the body of a woman lying about 2CO yards below Collingwood Bridge, in the centre of the river; it was lying face downwards. On lifting the head I knew it to be that of Mrs Rowley. We removed the body to the policestation, and sent for Mr Vickerman, whom we met on the road. Nearly all the clothes had been torn from the body. I took the scart and laid it on it. Itappeared that the force of the current had washed away the clothes. Hearing she had left the house of Mrs M'Cabe and Mrs Jetferies the previous evening, about 10 o'clock, I made inquiries, and found she was under the influence oi drink at the time she left. I traced footsteps from the back of the house, apparently made by a woman's boots, leading down to the river; there was only one set of Doot tracks. The river had lowered 10 or 12 feet. The last track was !4 or 15 feet from the river side. Mr Vickerman, M.R CS. London : I have examined the body now lying in the enginehouse, which is the sam:" Twas called by Constable Flelt to see this morning, near Collingwood-bridge. It was being eurvey ed by S. -Major Edwards and other constables. Life was quite extinct; she had apparently been im-mer-ed in water for some hours. I knew the body to be that of Mrs Rowley. It presented the usual external marks of death by drowning. There were no marks of violence whatever about it. The stomach was full of water or some fluid. She appeared to be hastily dressed. Georgian a M'Cabe: I live near the bridge in Grovestreet. 1 have identified the body of Mrs Rowiey. I saw her last evening about 10 o'clock; she came to -my house and stopped there about 10 minutes. She left by the back door, and. Mrs Jeffrey held the light out for her; it was very dark. She had been drinking, which could be seen from her speech and manner. She had a white sun bonnet on ;*ncl a black cloth paletot. I have no reason to think she committed 6uic:irtc. I showed a light at the request of Mrs Jeii'erv, and called to Mrs Rowley and got no answer. The footsteps led from my back door; I saw them .first at seven this morning; they t.roke off before coming to the river. Sirs Rowley knew what she was about, but it was very dark. She was in good

spirits, saying she had been ta see her husband, and had taken something to him. Fanny Jeffrey: I live in Grove-street, the first house past Collingwood-bridge. I have identified the body of Mrs Rowley. I saw her at my house, at 10 o'clock last nicht. She came for some milk. I have known her for five years. I knew her in Canterbury. She was the worse for liquor last night. I had forbidden her my house on account of being the worse for liquor on previous occasions. She said she had been to the gaol to see her husband. I had no milk to give her. I did not notice if she carried any vessel to hold it. I felt quite hurt at her coming. She seemed to be in very good spirits, on leaving my house. I held the candle to light her. She went out at the back door. I did not notice the way she went. When I heard her voice. I thought she was in the middle of the street. She said she was all right in reply to a question from me. Mrs M'Cabetook the cloak from my shoulders, and held the light to Mrs Rowley; I did not hear her answer Mrs M'Cabe. She had a green plaid dress, black jacket, and an old print sun bonnet; she held the bonnet in her hands. I should not suppose, from her manner and conversation, that she intended to commit suicide. There was no light on the bridge last night, there generally is; it was not lighted at all last night. Except my candle there was no light to guide her. I don't think she was too intoxicated to know what she was doing. Constable Bradcock was recalled, and asked if the lamp was lighted on Collingwood bridge last night. He said it was not. The Coroner said the attention oflhe Board of Works should be called to the fact, as it must have been negligence on the part of some one. Constable Bradcock added that the footsteps went towards the right and then made a circle towards the river, as though the woman thought she had got to the bridge. It appeared to be a big hole just beyond the spot where the footsteps ceased. The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict, that the deceased was found drowned in the Maitai, having accidentally walked into the river from the Collingwood bridge; and the jury call the attention of the authorities to the absence of lights on the bridge.