THE LATE DROWNING ACCIDENT AT TAIERI MOUTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1822, 22 October 1886, Page 18

THE LATE DROWNING ACCIDENT AT TAIERI MOUTH.

Taieki Mouth, October 19. The inquest on the body of John Russell was held to-day before Mr Carew and the following jury. — f, A. Joseph (foreman), R. Fairbairn, J. Fairbairn, C. Martin, C. Morgan, E. Palmer, and T. Agnew. William Russell deposed that he identified the body as that of his brother, John Russell. His brother was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and had been in New Zealand about 27 years. His age was 33 years. He left a wife and one child. He had not much experience in boating, but was a good swimmer, and a very strong man. He had been a total abstainer for years. The others were all sober men. Jane Campbell stated that she went out on bank close to the beach last Sunday morning, and saw a dead body lying on the beach not far from the water. She ran and told Mrs Perkins, and then George Perkins went to tell Mr Lander. James Lander stated that when George Perkins told him about the body he went towards the coast in front of Perkins' house, and saw the body. He went down to it and identified it as that of John Russell. He know Russell well, and identified the body by the clothing, hair, and general appearance. The body was naked below the shoulders, but had two shirts, a vest, and coat on. The arms were extended over the head. He and two of the Flemings carried the body up to the bank. He took charge of it until he saw it deposited in the house at Taieri -Mouth. Information was at once sent to the police at Outram and Abbotsford. The body was lying face downward. There was a small Jbruise on the breast, and a slighter abrasion below the left knee. He believed that Russell wore neither belt nor braces, and that was the season the trousers came off. Eric Sinclair stated that he saw Russell and the others with him on the morning of September 25 last at about a quarter to 7. He spoke to them before they started for sea. They told him that they were going along the coast southwards for fish. The boat was a first-class whaleboat. He watched them a little way down the river, but lost sight of them before they went far. He could] not see the boat from where he was at work. When the boat left Samuel Hughan had the steer oar, but he saw Russell take it after. Only two men were rowing when he last saw the boat. The steer oar on view was Russell's. It had been sprung and afterwards lashed with wire. The wood had commenced to rot. The bar was quite safe for men who could handle the boat. It was dead low water at the time. W. Fleming stated he sawthe boat go out to sea on that morning. He first saw it at the mouth of the river, and then saw three men in it, Two men were rowing and one at the steer oar. He saw the boat cross the bar close to Taieri island, but did not notice anything unusual. That was shortly after 7 o'clock. He went in to breakfast, and after coming out again saw the boat nearly opposite their house. Two men were then rowing and one appeared to be steering. He saw nothing wrong then. About 9 o'clock the boat was right opposite the house, lying at anchor just outside the surf. He took a walk to the river mouth, aud before getting out of sight still saw the boat in the same place. On coming back he could not see the boat. That was about 10 o'clock. His little nephew picked up an oar on the beach. ABout 9 o'clock he saw him pick it up. He thought the oar came from the boat, but did not think there was anything wrong. He thought when the boat had disappeared it had gone further north. His nephew found the blade of the steer oar between 1 and 2 o'clock. He had not the slightest suspicion of anything wrong even then. He knew nothing about boats. He thought it strange to see the boat so near the breakers. To the Foreman : He could not positively say that the boat was not bwamped, as he could not see the middle of the boat for the waves. He could not tell whether the man at the steer oar was standing or sitting.' He did see the steer oar at the time; he saw the other oar by the flash of the blade. When the boat crossed the bar broken water was all around' it. Charles Fleming stated that he first saw the boat between 9 and 10 o'clock. Two men were then rowing, buc the boat appeared to be making no headway. Not being very well, he went into the house and to bed. He did not see the boat again. George Perkins stated that he picked up part of the steer oar at about 1 o'clock near Fleming's. William Sallowfield stated that when he left off work at 5 o'clock he saw the boat ashore bottom up among the rocks a couple of miles south of the river. He knew that it was Russell's boat. There was a piece broken out of one end of it. He could not get quite close to it. Charles Morgan stated that on the 25th his attention was called to a boat ashore on the rocks. At 6in the evening he went and looked all about) the boat but saw none of the men. ! The boat had capsized over . the rocks. The long rope with the anchor was there. He found fishing lines, comforter, oilskin coat, and overalls near the boat. This was all the evidence. The Jury returned the following verdict: — " That John Russell met his death on the morning of September 25, 1886, by accidental drowning on the Taieri bar."