THE DROWNING OF FREDK. DUFAUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9539, 4 December 1889, Page 5

THE DROWNING OF FREDK. DUFAUR.

CORONER'S INQUEST. An inquesb was held yesterday afternoon at 2.30,.at the residence of his brother, Mr. E. T. Dufaur, Home Bay; Ponsonby, on the body of the late Mr. Frederick Dufaur, who was drowned during the gale on Monday. There were four witnesses examined : Mr. J. B. Jackson, grocer,. Jervois Road, deposed that Mr. JE. T. Dufaur and himself had seen the boat upset from Hamilton Road, and had rushed down to tho beach to obtain a boat to put off to the rescue. There were no oars handy, and Mr. E. T. Bufaur went to Mr. Masefield'sand obtained a pair. After about 10 minutes had elapsed, Mr. E. T. Dufaur was able to put off to tho rescue, and had with him in the . boat William Lysaght and Peter, Banton. In a short time he observed a body in the water off the Ponsonby wharf, and went for assistance, but when he returned again he could not see it. It wus about an hour and a quarter from the time the boat upset till the body was on the beach. Mr. Percy Dufaur deposed that he had seen his yacht dragging, about 9 o'clock on Monday morning, and had asked his brother to come out to it with him, in order to put another anchor out. They had gone about 300 yards when the boat swamped, and they were thrown into tho water. He told hia brother that if ho kept afloat the wind and tide would tako him in to the shore. Ho reached an open boat, and looked round for his brother, but could not see him anywhere. His brother had full clothing and his boots on at the time. Dr. Dawson deposed that life was quite extinct when he saw the body, and that ho tried the Sylvester .method of restoration without any beneficial effects. William Lysaght deposed that he wont out with iv lad named Horton, and brought tho body ashore. There were no signs of life when he discovered it. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally drowned."