DROWNING OF LITTLE BOY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18939, 10 February 1925, Page 11

DROWNING OF LITTLE BOY.

CALLOUSNESS ALLEGED. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. [Cr TELEGRAPH.—OWN COMIESFONDENT.] WAXGANUI. Monday. Some scathing remarks concerning the alleged callousness of certain Wanganui residents in connection with the drowning of a little boi% William A. Rainham, on Saturday afternoon, were made by the coroner, Mr. Barton, S.M., today. His comments arose from a statement, made by Alfred John White, an elderly man. In the course of his evidence, White said that on Saturday afternoon he was on the river bank at about 3.30 o'clock, when he heard a little girl scream. Jio went down the hank and saw a little boy floating face upwards. Witness could not swim, but made an attempt to get the deceased out. He fell into the water and it took him all his time to get back. The water was deep at that spot, and varied from 18ft. to 30ft. The deceased was some Bft. out. Witness raised an alarm and also went home and rigged up a temporary grapple and with a little boy commenced to drag until the police came. He called for volunteers to help him. There were plenty of men on the bank, but no one came to his assistance. Some of these were young men who were watching a swimming race. When witness pulled himself out of the water the body was still floating, but a few seconds later it disappeared. When witness had come up from the bank he told the men standing there that a child had been drowned in the river, but they took no notice of him. His second appeal for help was made after ho returned from his homo with the grappling arrangement. The Coroner: Might those men you refer to have heard the child scream ? Witness: They could not help hearing it, and a good swimmer could have saved the lad by diving in. Two strokes and bo could have reached the lad. Witness added that later when three other men learned of the casualty, they dived in and did all they could. Another rowed across the river and assisted with a boat. The Coroner: I am putting all these questions to you because it is most unlike our race, and a most disgraceful thing if correct. You have no doubt about the matter ? Witness: None whatever. I can prove it. The coroner asked the police to obtain a brief report from the little girl to supply a connecting link in the depositions. A verdict was returned that the deceased. was accidently drowned in the Wanganut River on Saturday, February 7. There are two things I wish to mention," said the coroner. " The evidence discloses that Mr. White did all he could. He is an elderly man, and under the circumstances did what one would expect of another in his attempt to save the child. There is disclosed what is most onusual in our community and among members of our race. It has been made quite clear by the evidence of Mr. White that somemen and youths were standing by him on top of the bank, but took no notice, and stood watching a sporting event while this boy drowned. They also watched Mr. White's unsuccessful attempt, at rescue and did nothing. Later, when Mr. White returned, and when it still might have been possible to save the lad and when lie asked for help no one but a small boy left the ranks to assist." Continuing, the coroner said : " It seems unfortunate that his appeal conflicted with the appeal of a sporting fixture. Wo have so-called sports in our midst who would curse their mother's funeral if it interfered with their going to a race meeting—fortunately not many. It was a most regret! able happening."