DROWNING CASE AT QUEEN'S REDOUBT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9220, 24 November 1888, Page 5

DROWNING CASE AT QUEEN'S REDOUBT.

I much regret to say that a little boy, two and a-half years of age, a son of Mr. Matthew Dean, was drowned last Saturday afternoon between two and three o'clock. The little fellow wandered to the creek, and was missed in a few minutes by his elder cousin and aunt, who saw him in the creek, from the store window. She screamed, and shouted to her daughter, Miss Lizzie Dean, who bravely waded into the creek and brought out the body of the poor little fellow, who was apparently dead. They with others used every means to restore animation, but without avail. Dr. Rowley arrived about two hours after, and pronounced him dead. An inquest was held next morning (Sunday), at Mr. Dean's house, before Captain Jackson, Coroner, who had to proceed per first train to Waikato on Monday morning. The jury viewed the body, which was slightly cut on the lips and nose, the evident result of a fall into the creek. The evidence of Mrs. Rebecca Turner and Mrs. John Dean and her daughter was completely corroborative of the fact that the little child met with its death by drowning, and a verdict was returned accordingly, with a rider that no blame could be attached to anyone. - '*Rie greatest sympathy for Mr. Matthew Dean was expressed by the rather numerous attendance at the funeral, which was conducted by Mr. Oldham, of Tuakau, Wesley an local preacher, who preached at Pokeno Hill on the previous afternoon. Mr. Dean was absent at the time in Auckland, and on being telegraphed for came up on Sunday, being met by his brother, Mr. William Dean, with a conveyance. The coffin was borne to the grave by the cousins and friends of deceased, and was beautifully ornamented and surmounted by a cross of moss and violets. The deceased was a most promising and winning little child, and was a general favourite. The hymn, " Shall We Gather at the River," was sung at the grave.—[Own Correspondent.]