THE INQUESTS.

North Otago Times, Volume IX, Issue 283, 7 February 1868, Page 2

THE INQUESTS.

An inquest was held by T. W. Parker, Esq., R.M., District Coroner, ou Wednesday at the Oamaru Hotel, on the bodj of David Petrie, one of the men [ drowned at the wreck of the Star of Tamania. Tha following persons were sworn of the jury, viz., David Bruce, Gh Campbell, Ilenry Aitken, David Judge, James Amos, Charles Brown, Charles Carksonj Charles Anderson, Thomas Smith, David Procter, Charles Watson, and William Davidson. Mr Bruce was chosen foreman. The jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken. Andrew Culbert, sworn, deposed. — I mi ' second officer of the ship Star of Tasmania, which was wrecked at Oamaru on the 3rd of February, 1868. I have viewed the body now shown to the inquest jury and recognize it as that of David Petrie, who was an able seaman on board the said ship and, was on board at the time she struck. After the ship struck I saw him jump from the ship abreast the forerigging into the 6ea, with the intention, as I believe, of reaching the shore, and after some attempts on his part to swim, the drawback of the surf carried him away and the darkness of the evening prevented my seeing him any longer. People on the beach were waiting to receive him as soon aB he got noaf shore, but they could give him no assistance where he was. I was on board the ship when ho jumped, but no assistance could be given him from the ship as he was rapidly carried away beyond any possibility of reaching him, and from the sea breaking over the ship it took all a person's powers to hold on. De* ceased was a native of Arbroath, North Britain, and and was about 21 or 22 years of age. Thomas Mere lith Smith, sworn, deposed. — I am mounted constable at Oamaru. From information received this morning about 8 o'clock, I went to the beach nearly opposito the flag-stuff and thoro found the body of the deceased, David Petrie, and I had him removed to the place where he is lying at present. The body is in the same state as I found it. After a few remarks from the Magistrate the jury, without retiring, returned the following verdict : — " That, the decease. 1 Baud Putii", w^u drowned white attempting to cscvpo from the \,ieci; of the ship Stea* of Ta»iiiunij.."

An inquest on tho b^'h oi \Vn>. .doo^s, out 1 of the ceov, of the S^ir of J m ntuui, « t3 In ul Oi' 1 'J^rarpdij morning, sit 10 't I'll Oartuuu Iioic 1 , i>;> T. W. Parker, Es'i., li ] v .l , IJiatuct Conjner. Tixo iollovvnip

gentlemen were sworn of tbo jury, viz. — Messrs Walter Booth (foreman), S. E. Shrimski, Jacob Shfcimski, 1 John Dick, Win. G-rout, Charles Daly, Frederick Badhan, Robert Bnrlow, Robt. Donnelly, Jo)m Connolly, James Kenny, Tbos. Wm. Halls, and John Acaster. The jury having viewed the body, the following 'Oridonce was taken : — William Grant, sworn deposed. — I was an able seaman on board the ship Star of Tasmania, wrecked on the beach at Oamaru, on the 3rd inst. I have examined tho body shown to the inquost jury. It is that of one of tho crew of tho said ship, whoso name "vraa William Brooks. He was a native of Blackwall, near London, and about 32 years of age. The last time I saw him was aboard the Star of Tasmania, after tho rosscl struck. He was alongside of mo on the starboard side. Deceased said, " She (the vessel) is breaking up, and it's no use stopping here ; let's tako and jump, or we'll all pet drowned." He thon -jumped from tho ship on tho beach into the water, on the land sido of tho ship. I saw nothing more of him after he jumped, for it was too dark. I cannot say what time it was. Deceased was all right when ho jumped. He was an able soaman on board. He was a married man, and had, I believe, four children. Tho wifo lived in tho neighborhood of Blackwall. Eobert Bullcn, sworn, deposed. — I am sergeant of Police at Oamaru. About four o'clock p.m. yesterday, tho 5th inst., I found tho body of tho deceased, Wm. Brooks, on tho bouch opposite the flagstaff, and I had Hie body conveyed to where it at present lies, and it i* in tno same state as when I found it. Avordietof '• Accidentally Drowned while attempting to oscapo from the Wreck of tho Star of Tasmania," was returned.