BODY IN HARBOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 11

BODY IN HARBOUR.

DEVONPORT RESIDENT'S FATE. EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. A verdict of accidental death by drowning was returned by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the inquest held yesterday concerning the death of Mr. William Davidson Munn, whose body was found floating in the harbour near the Devonport Wharf on Sunday afternoon. Evidence of identification was given by William Ray Munn, son of the deceased, lie said ho last saw his father alivo at 7.10 p.m. on July 17, when bo left home to visit friends at Ilemuera. Deceased was t.hen in normal health and spirits. lie had 110 financial worries and was happy at home. Witness thought that his father must have had a giddy turn and fallen into the water accidentally. A ticket collector employed by the Devonport Steam Ferry Company, JLowhlan Alexander McLean, said he saw Mr. Munn making for the Devonport Wharf at about eight o'clock on the, evening of July 17. Deceased was late and failed to catch (be ferry boat. The next boat left the vehicular wharf. Constable Brady, of Devonport, said that 110 was informed on Sunday afternoon that there was a body of a man floating beneath the ferry wharf. He went to the vehicular part of the wharf and saw Mr. Munn's body floating faco downward beneath the piles. The body bore no marks of violence and had apparently been in the water for several days. Witness searched tho clothing but did not find any letter or note indicating that the deceased had committed suicide. There was no money in any of the pockets and the watch had stopped at 10.40. In returning bis verdict the coroner expressed the opinion that 011 failing to catch the passenger ferry-boat the deceased decided to travel by the vehicular boat. It. was probablo that in walking to the vehicular part of the wharf in the darkness be had made a faulty step and had fallen into the water.