LATE DROWNING FATALITY AT LAKE TAKAPUNA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10970, 26 January 1899, Page 5

LATE DROWNING FATALITY AT LAKE TAKAPUNA.

MR. TP, ACEY HALL'S BODY RECOVERED.

The body of the late Mi. T. Hall, who was drowned at Lake Takapuna on the 3rd inst., was, contrary to expectation, recovered yesterday afternoon. At about half-past two o clock, two boys saw the body floating in the Lake. A rope was placed round the body to secure it, and the boys went for the police, The body was eventually recovered by Constable McCarthy, and taken on to the bank. The body was identified by Mies Hall from the rings on the hands, one of plain gold, and the other set with an opal, though she did not give evidence at the subsequent inquest. The body had evidently drifted some 100 yds from where the deceased was drowned. It is supposed that there is a current flowing seaward near the spot. When picked up the body was in a remarkably good state of preservation, considering the length of time it had been in the water. The face alone showed marks of biuises, which were evidently caused by the backward and forward motion of the body over the loose stones at the bottom of the Lake. As soon as possible a shell was sent out from Auckland by Messrs. T. and H. Cooke, undertakers, and the body crffined and taken to the Lake Hotel. It will be enclosed in a lead coffin to-day, and removed to Auckland. Most of the relatives of the deceased live in Melbourne, and it is pitiable that the remains will be sent there for interment. THE INQUEST. Hie inquest was held at the house of Mr. Tlios. Gresham (coroner of Te Awainutu, who lias been residing in the district). Evidence was given by the brothers Gresham, who detailed the facts as to the recovery of the bedv. Walter Queree, in giving evidence, state! that he dived off the boat first, the deceased following. Witness rose to the surface, and 011 looking round, he saw deceased come up, and strike out for a short time, when he suddenly sank. He rose a a second time to within 2ft of the surface, when witness got hold of him under the armpit, and both sank together. Witness then relaxed his hold of deceased, and struck out for the boat, reaching it in an exhausted state Deceased was 1 very good swimmer, and had often swum considerable distances without fooling any ill effects. Arthur Hall, brother of deceased, who was in the boat at the time of the fatality, gave corroborative testimony. He added that deflated was rather loth to go out that morning. Constable McCarthy deposed to taking the body out of the water. It was undressed, and in a natural condition. The jury, of whom Mr. Robertson was foreman, returned a verdict to the effect, "That deceased was accidentally drowned while bathing in the waters of Lake Takapuna."