THE INQUEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2300, 31 March 1898, Page 19

THE INQUEST.

An inquiry into the circumstances attending; the death of Otto Albert Tharann and Thomas Ilenry Raynbird was held at the Wharf Hotel' on Monday afternoon before Mr Coroner Carew and a jury of six. The Coroner said since tbe inquest was commenced on Saturday on the body of the boy Tha.ra.no, the body of another boy named Thomas Henry Rayubird had been found. He proposed to ho d an inquest on the two bodies at the same time. William Raynbird. farmer, deposed that he resided at the North-East Harbour. The body shown to the jury was that of his late brother 'Ihoniaß Ilenry. The deceased was born at NorthEast Harbour, vra.3 15 years of age, and worked for Wardell Bros. He was an average swimmer, and had been accustomed to handling a. sailing boat. Witness knew Mr Wilson's boat. He had been accustomed to sailing boats, and he did not think the sail in the boat would have capsized her. He did not think the sail was too large for the boat. He would have considered it perfectly safe. James WUsod, messenger in the post office, deposed that he wa3 the owner of the boat Lizzie. Shtj was 16ft in length and bad a beam of sft. He had had her six or eight month?. He had sailed her ever since he had her almost every day. The boat had a «mall lug sail. Witness had been brought up to the sea, and considered himself competent to sail the boat. ' He knew the deceased Ravnbird and Tharann, who were constant campani-ns of hia in the boat. On Thursday, the 24th inst., they went out together in thu boat. Mr Ferguson, George Wilson (witness's son), and Siuart Reid were also with them. They got into the boat at the jetty close to the D A B 0. shed at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It was a, nice bright afternoon, v/ith a I'ght north-east wind blowing. They pulled down the harbour to tbe red beacon —a short distance out from the end of the Rattray street wharf. They then tied tho boat up and fished for about aii hour, after which they set sail and stood over towards Waverley. Witness's boy was steering at the time, and witness held the sheet iv his hand. When they got close to Waverley they wore round, intending to make fov home. He slackened the sheet and put the helm up to wear round. The boat jibed as she was going rrund oa the other tack aud a tquall struck her. She at once filled and went over. The boat did not turu quite bottom up, but was partly on her side. Mr Fergusoa and witness got on to th« side of the boat. George Wilson, witness's sod, cimo towards them and they dragged him on ta the boat. Raynbird and Tharann seemed to ba swimming away from tbe boat, and were about two boat lengths away to lseward and in shore of tlie boat. Stuart Reid, the other boy, was floating ou the oars about a boat's length away. 'J hey called to Uaynbird, knowing he could swim, to look out for Tharann, and they all called out to attract the attention of thepeople on the shore. Reid said several times he was sinking, and could not hold on to the oars any longer. A diugey put off from the shore at last, and rescued first Reid, then AHFerguson. Raynbird and Tharann by thia time were not in sight. The dingey had all she could carry, and went for the shore, promising to return for wituess and his son. A boat subsequently came from the shore, and rescued witness and his son. The boat then went round and round the place looking for Raynbird and Tharann, .but nothing could bu seen of him. George Wilson, 14 years of age, and son of the last v/itneis, stated that when they wore round to go home he was steering. He had a lot of experience in steering. His father held the-sheet. When the squall struck the boat after she had jibed she filled very quickly. Tharacn and Raynbird appeared to be swimming to leeward. The latter \va» a good swimmer and seemed to be looking after Tharran. Ib was pretty cold at the time, and witness was shivering when he got into the rescuing boat. They never had trouble with the boat She shipped vety little vater. Witness often sailed a boat himseif. John Kelly, labourer, residing at Vauxhall, deposed that when he heard the screams he ran down to get a boat, but could get no oars at the time. lie broke open a boatshed and got oars, and put off to the assistance of those in the water iv a dingey with MrPr>or. When they got to the boat she was bottom up. Those on her saDg out that there was a boy in the water. His name was Reid, and they picked him up. He seemed greatly exhausted. They then took as many on board a3 the dingey would hold, and another boat rescued the survivor. Mr Wilson said he would like to state that neither he nor Mr Ferguson could swim a stroke. Constable M'Cormack gave evidence that the body of the boy Tharann was found on Friday afternoon last, and that of Raynbird on Saturday afternoon. They were both found in the same spot, which was covered by about 3ft 6in at low water. A verdict was returned " That deceased met their death by the accidental upsetting of a boat." In connection with the fatality we have been requested to state that the Messrs Challis .Brothers lent valuable aid in the search for the bodies. _____________