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New Zealand Mail, Issue 880, 11 January 1889, Page 31

An inquest on the body of the little boy Ernest Winters, who was found drowned in the harbour on Sunday morning, was held at the Morgue on Monday afternoon before Mr H. W. Robinson (District Coroner) and a jury of six, of whom Mr Henry Knight was chosen foreman. Dr Cole deposed that he had examined the body, and, from its appearance, he should say it had been in the water for some considerable time. He had not thought it necessary to hold a post mortem examination. William Maddook, mason, gave evidence tohaviHg seen a little boy dressed similarly to the deceased throwing stones in the water from the reclaimation on Wednesday. Sarah Winters stated that the boy left his home about half past twelve on Wednesday, and did not return. He was very anxious to get out. He was in the habit of gathering wood on the beach, and she believed it was for the purpose of getting some wood that he was so anxious to get away. William Petford deposed to seeing the body floating in the harbour on Sunday morning, and Constable Gleeson, who removed the body to the Morgue, also gave evidence. The jury returned a verdict of found drowned, and added the following rider The jurors are of opinion that some protection should be erected along the sea frontage of the reclamation where completed, as it is, in their opinion, very dangerous in its present state.