A "DEPLORABLE DEATH."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14132, 6 August 1909, Page 5

A "DEPLORABLE DEATH."

' SOMEONE TO BLAME. r [Vt : TELEGRAI'H.--OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

vi;:S - • i Gisborne, ThursdayAt the inquest .on the body of Edwin James : : Norton, a single man, 41 years of age, who was found drowned in the Turanganui River, near the Kaiti'Wharf,. at mid-day yesterday, evidence was given {hat deceased the previous day had been seen under the influence of liquor. Constable Dwyer deposed to seeing defeased "on Tuesday afternoon, about 2.30, the man being then slightly under the in-. ' finance of drink, but not drunk enough to be locked up. Witness advised him to go home, and not to touch any more think. Norton replied, "All right, lam just going to get into a cab." Deceased drove away in a cab. Witness assisted in the recovery of the body, on which were found two large bottles of beer and a lemonade bottle containing whisky, also aj watch, which had stopped at 0.10. The barman at a local hotel said he told deceased Is worth of whisky and two -■ bottles' cf beer about 5.15 p.m. the same . (lay, Norton then appearing to be quite • sober. "' ; .. p;";: The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased was found drowned in the TuraBgahui River, but there was no evidence to show by what means he came there. Having been seen in the vicinity of the river, about 5.15 p.m. on the 3rd inst., ;';-,;he' must have " either thrown himself -or fallen into the water. The Coroner added, :—"There is no doubt that this un:ofortunate man's death is most deplorable. It is quite evident that some person is to blame in the matter, and I only" hope that the police will make the fullest investigations, and find out on whose shoulders _ the blame rests. I hope Sergeant Hutton, you will do your best." Sergeant Hutton : "The matter is already being investigated, and we will do our best."