DROWNED IN THE WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15377, 12 August 1913, Page 8

DROWNED IN THE WAIKATO.

SCHOOLBOY'S SAD DEATH. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Huntly, Monday. An inquest on tho body of Andrew Kerr, son of John Kerr, fireman, Huntly, was held in the Courthouse, Huntly, this afternoon, before the acting coroner, Mr. E. J. Farrell, J.P., and a. jury of six. The father of the lad Btated that he last saw his son, Andrew Kerr, 13 years of age, on the morning of July 24. He was in perfect health, was not eubjects to fits, and could swim a little. Lewis Stewart Denh:im, a. schoolboy, 13 years of age, deposed that in company with his brother and deceased he went to the springboard near- tho boat-shed. Kerr walked along the board, slipped, and fell into the water. Rising to the surface a few feet down stream Kerr commenced to "dog paddle" for the willows fringing the bank, but failed to get a firm hold. Witness went in after him. Though able to touch him ho failed to drag him ashore. He could not go further into tho water, owing to his inability to swim. Dr. Low et-ated that he had examined the body in the morgue. Death was undoubtedly due to drowning. Without retiring, the jury brought in a verdict to the effect that deceased had been accidentally drowned. They exprossed their sympathy with the parents, and asked the coroner to request the members of the rowing elub to place a life buoy near the springboard in question, as had there been one handy, the fatality might have been avoided.