FORTROSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1596, 24 June 1882, Page 14

FORTROSE.

(FROM OUB OWN COBBESPONDEKF.

June 19th.

The inquiry into the cause of death of the young man, Arthur W. B. Slater— who, as I advised you by wire on tho 17th, had been found dead on the bank of the Titirau River—took place this day at a hut near the dwelling of Mr Rich. Constable Fretwell caused the following persona to be sworn as jury, viz., Messrs J. F. Brunton, L. Likdle, J. R. Kidd, W. B. Sangster, J. Preston, A. M'Kenzie, A, Christie, W. G. Rich, Templeton, M'Gee, D. M'Lean, and H. Douglas. Mr J. F. Brunton was chosen foreman, and Mr C. R. Brunton acted as deputy-coroner. It appears that the deceased arrived by the Manapouri, s.s., from England, on her last trip, and was cousin to Mr E. S. Vornon, who holds a portion of the estate in conjunction with Mr Rich. The deceased intended to stay with Mr Vernon for a period. He arrived at the ToiTois in the fore part of the past week, and had been constantly in the company of Mr Vernon until the day of the sad occurrence. Mr Vernon, on that day, had occasion to visit somo works at an early hour on a distant part of the estate, leaving tho deceased at the homestead (Mr Rich's). The deceased left the house in the early part of the forenoon, in the company of Miss Josephine Rich, with the intention of shooting ducks on the Tifcirau. A short distance from the house the river runs through a flat, which is covered by small bush and scrub of various kinds, very dense in places and pretty open in others. About noon the deceased inquired of Miss Rich what tima they had luncheon. She replied, from 12 to half -past. He then requested her to proceed homewards, and he would shortly follow and probably overtake her. He then appears to havo proceeded towards the river and followed the bank, as his body was found at a clearing made by woodcutters. According to the evidence, it appears he must have been in the act of passing from the bush up the river, having first placed his hat on a bough above, and evidently having hold of the gun (a double-barrelled breech-loader) by the barrel with the left hand, the stock next tlae ground. The trigger of one barrel must caught against a twig and caused the gun to discharge itself whilst doceased was in that position. The other barrel, when found, waa loaded, and the trigger at full cock. The charge took effect in the forehead, towards the left eye, completely shattering the skull. Tho deceased must havo stumbled forward into the water, leaving the gun upon the bank, as his body was found in about two feet of water.

The body was discovered by Mr W. G-. Rich and Mr W. G. Eich, jun., on Saturday morning, the 17th. They had taken a boat and proceeded up tho river in quest of him. As soon as they discovered the Dody they returned for assistance. Constable Fretwell and Detective Ede being fortunately in the immediate neighbourhood, proceeded in company with Mr Kidd and the Messrs Rich to the place indicubed, and there found the body as stated. The Jury returned a verdiot of "Accidental death," Much sympathy \y&\ be felt by many

hero, both for his relative here and those nearer and dearer to him at Home. ( I believe the deceased was a native of Suseex, England, and was for some time tutored at Tunbridge Wells, Kent. He was a young man of grand physique, being an adept at football, cricket, and other manly sports; standing 6 feet 5 inches without boots, and proportionately well made.