INQUEST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 20, 24 January 1881, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest was held on Thursday before Charles Kelling, Esq , J.P., Acting Coroner, on the body of Henry Buckeridge, who was drowned ou the previous day at the Moutere Bluffs. The following evidence wns taken: — Ellen Harris: I have been fetfiying at the house of Mr Buxlon as a visitor to Mrs Buckeridgo, the wife of the deceased, since New Year's Day. The whole family were assembled on the beach waiting for the boys to land from the cauoe to join us, as we were starting for a picnic. The boys, four of them, were all landing, when Leopold Buckerulge, the second sou of deceased; 13 years of age, tried to pull the cauoo ashore, but the waves washed him off his feer, and he was carried out a little way, clinging to the boat all the time. He then managed to get into her. TLe deceased threw oft his coat and jumped into the water to swim to the boy to render him assistance, but he could not reach thfe canoe, which w&s drifting out to sea much faster than deceased could swim. I then left them to get assistance, and when I came back the canoe was still going further out io sea, end debased turned round, evidenily trying to come back, but he could not make any headway. Then the two Mr Heines came, but could give no assist ance. Mr Douglas theb went for Mr J. Thomas to come with his boat, and some went to the Lower JWoutere to call for help from there with their boats, but long before any he:p came the deceased had disappeared Thomas afterwards found the body, and I saw it brought on shore. 1 think it was two hourß from the time deceased went into the water until the body was brought out. Every effort was made to restore life in him but it was all in vain 5 meanwhile some one had been sent for Dr Johanaen, from Motueka, who, when ho arrived; pronounced life quite extinct •, and said, that everything had been done to restore llifte t By the foreman: I could not possibly say how far deceased had swum out when he tried to turn. I could not see anything else that caused death but fatigue or cramp. James Thomas: I live about two miles from here. A man by the name of Douglas came about dinner time to call me to help, as Mr Buckeridge was drowning, and his son was drifting out to sea in a canoe. lat once set sail for the Bluffs, along with Mr Douglas, a Btrong S.W. wind blowing all the time, so that we had to take the sail down. When opposite Mr Buxtons house we commenced rowing, and looking for the body of the deceased and the canoe. About half a mile out we saw something floating, which proved to be the body of the deceased. I think it probable that he was exhausted, and was somehow kept from sinking. We took him on board, and tried everything possible to restore him to life, but did not succeed. We brought him ashore, and set sail again to look for the canoe. This was all the evidence, and the follow ing verdict was returned:— " That the deceased, Henry Buckeridge, was accidentally drowned on Wednesday, 19th January, 1881, in attempting to rescue his son, Leopold Buckeridge."