THE LATE DROWNING CASE AT MANUKAU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6281, 4 January 1882, Page 6

THE LATE DROWNING CASE AT MANUKAU.

CORONER'S INQUEST. A coroner's inquest was held at the Edinbmgh Castle Hotel, Symonds-st'reet, yesterday, before Dr. Philson and jury on the body of the late William Francis Short, who was drowned on the previous day at the Manukau. The jury having been sworn (Air. is. Holmwood, foreman) proceeded to the residence of deceased, Exmouth-street, Newton, to view the body, after which they returned to the hotel, where the inquest was resumed and the following evidence taken : — Charles Baker, being sworn, deposed that he was a shepherd, and had charge of Weekes 1 Island, situated in Onehunga harbour. He had known deceased ever since he came to the colouy, now about eight years ago. He was a carver and cabinetmaker, and lived in Ex-inouth-road, Newton-road, Auckland. His age was 32 years, and he had left a widow and six children. On the 26th ultimo deceased and all his family came from Auckland to witness's place at Weekes' Island, on a visit. On Monday last, about 9 a.m., deceased, Arthur Robinson, aud witness left his house at the island for the purpose of getting a boat which lay at the Mangere shore, and in order to reach the opposite shore someone had to swim to reach the boat. Deceased volunteered to do so, and was accompanied by Arthur Robinson. Both of them took off their clothes and walked into the water as far they could. The tide had turned to ebb about an hour and a-half. Deceased soon began to swim, but had not swam above ten yards when he seemed to fall backwards, and called out "Oh," and then disappeared. He did not rise again. Deceased was about 100 yards distant from witness when he sank. Arthur Robinson was swimming about ten yards ahead of him. Witness, not being able to swim, called to Robinson to assist dcceascd. He turned to do so, but could see nothing of him. Robinson then swam to the boat, which lie brought to the opposite shore, where witness was. Witness then got into the boat and searched the place where deceased went down, but was unable to see anything of him. He then went to look for Sergeant Green at Onehunga, but he was not there. About 12.30 p.m. the receding tide left , the body on the shore. It had been in the water about two and a-half hours, and there was no sign of life about it. They put the body into a spring cart, and took it to Onehunga. Dr. Scott examined the body, and pronounced life extinct. Deceased told witness that he was a good swimmer, but he never knew him to go bathing. Did not know whether he was subject to cramp, and was unable to account for his sinking. Deceased was sober in his habits, and had had no drink on the day of his death. Never knew him to complain of ailing anything. The depth of water where deceased sank was about six feet, and a strong ebb tide running at the time.— Arthur Robinson gave corroborative evidence to that of last witness." He was an apprentice of deceased, and resided at his house. Had known him for two years. Witness was swimming a few yards ahead of deceased when he sank, but made no effort to save him, believing it to be impossible, as he never rose. Witness was unable to dive, and did not consider himself a good swimmer.—Dr. Scott deposed that when he saw the body life was extinct, and had been for some hoars. The symptoms were those of drowning. There were no marks of violence, either from fishes or otherwise. Deceased appeared to have been in perfect health previously. — The jury returned a verdict of " Accidentally Drowned."