INQUEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11397, 14 April 1899, Page 2

INQUEST.

An inquest as to the death of Thomas John* ' stone, who was. drowned on the Ist hist, off the Quarantine Island, was held in the court- " house, Port Chalmers, yesterday, before Mr'Ej H. Cyew, coroner, and a jury of six, of whom. . Mr W. Kettle was elected foreman. ' ' '' ; William Brown, a seaman of tho s.s. Roto-', kino, stated that, on the Ist inst., in company ' with tho deceased Thomas Johnstone, he ehV gaged a boat for the' purpose of having a day's shooting at Portobello. When abreast of the •' Quarantine Island the boat grounded. Witness and deceased . undressed and got the. boat afloat; and.as the weather was very warm they ' decided to have a swim. The water was deeper'; than Hhey anticipated, and they both : swam orthe starboard side of the boat. Johnstone dived twice, and witness.thought he'was ■ enjoying himself, when suddenly he called out, "Good-bye, Bill,", a-nd disappeared. Witness ! dived for him, and saw his heel, but the strong undercurrent hot only carried deceased's body away, but nearly carried witness with it. Deceased was about 28 years .of age, was a native,, of Ireland, and had been some years • in''the service of the TJ.S.S. Company. ■■■"■,- E. if. Moss,'master of the ferry - steamer '■ • Tarewai, deposed that he Bad noticed deceased and his mate swimming alongside their boat ' on-Saturday last. Witness called out to .them, . "•you are haying a- 'good time." They replied. Yes, we are." : - '

.Alexander Abernethy,. o boy UJ.yeers old, deposed to finding the hody in the Lower Harbour; and Police Constable David Hanjiafin stated that he had recovered the body above high-water mark. ' ' • • ■ ■:

-The Jury returned a verdict of,'' Accidentally drowned," • ,1 .. • ■, , .