TWO MEN DROWNED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15078, 27 February 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

TWO MEN DROWNED.

ACCIDENT IN WELLINGTON HARBOUR. WELLINGTON, February 4. James Brings, keeper of the coal hulls Oreti, and Alexander Stephens, a newspaper seller, were drowned in the harbour last night. The hulk was moored at tho Queen's wharf, and Briggs went ashore for a few minutes, returning about 9 o'clock. Shortly afterwards Constable Tait heard groans under tho wharf. Search was made but Briggs could not be found. A southerly gale was blowing. The body was recovered this morning. Tho deceased was in foraer ye&n cm-

ployed on coastal boats. Ho leaves a widow and a grown-up family. Stephens, was 57 years of age. He is supposed to have relatives in Auckland. It is thought that he fell nto the harbour, and that Driggs met his death in trying to effect a rescue. The body was recovered. At the inquest on the body of Briggs tho evideneo showed that deceased : was quite sober. He evidently fell overboard from the forward part of the vessel. The gangway was not lighted. A verdict of Found drowned " was returned. Tho evidence at the inquest on the body of Alexander Stephens showed that the deceased was slightly under the influence of lienor last night, and was seen in the vicinity of the hulk Orcti. He was evidently trying to get on board. An open verdict was returned.