DROWNING FATALITY AT LOGAN'S POINT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 66

DROWNING FATALITY AT LOGAN'S POINT.

An inquest Avas held on Saturday afternoon at the Pelichet Bay Hotel by Mr Coroner Graham and a jury of six, of Avhom Mr J. Colvin Avas chosen foreman, on the body that Avas found floating in the harbour in the vicinity of Logan's Point on Friday morning. The body AA'as identified on Satur- ; day morning as that of William Perry, a settler at SaAvyers' Bay, by his son George.

George Perry deposed that he resided at SaAvyers' Bay, and identified the body as that of his father. His age Avas about 61 years. Witness last saAV him on Wednesday night, and on the following morning at 6 o'clock he Avenl to Port Chalmers with milk. He Ava& a dairy farmer. Witness saAV the Information of a man being found droAvned in the Daily Times, and proceeded to the Pelichet Bay Hotel, Avhere he saAV the body and recognised it. Witness Avas informed hy his mother that deceased had gone to town on Thursday to get some harness repaired. He apparently took it to a saddler named iLacey, Avho lent him some to go on Avith in the meantime. Deceased Avas sober in his ■habits. When lie lost the train it was his habit to walk home^ but Avhether lie Avalked dlong the railway line witness could not say. SChere was nothing to lead witness to believe 'that deceased would make away Avith himself. iWitness had seen deceased the Avorse of firink, but very seldom.^ , William LaAVrence Smith, engine driver at jjogan's Point quarry, slated that his attention was draAvn by his brother to the body floating in the water of the harbour. The roody Avas about half covered in Avater. Witness waded in and brought the body out on 4a, £he gfcle of the railwaj line. The body

had no hat or coat on, and one shirt sleeve Avas rolled up to the elbow. Some people Avere in the habit of going along the railway line, and if anyone.fell off at the plank crossing, the body would probably be found about Avhere the body of Perry was found. A part of the public road close to the bridge Avas dangerous, not being protected on the, right hand side, and any person Avalking along in the dark could Avalk right into a heavy current. The water would be 7ft or Bft deep there at high tide.

George Perry, recalled, slated that his father Avas in the habit, Avhen Avalking, of taking off his coat and carrying it on his arm. His sight Avas rather better than that of men at his time of life. Mr Lacey had informed witness that when deceased left his place, about half-past 6 o'clock in the evening, he had apparently had two or three drinks. He had come home occasionally late and a little the Avorse for liquor.

Constable o' Sullivan gave evidence as to finding Is 6d in money, a plug of tobacco, a matchbox, and a pencil upon the person of deceased, Avhose body he remoA~ed to the Pelichet Bay Hotel.

The Coroner said the only other evidence that could be called Avas that of Mr Lacey, the saddler, and the jury had heard from the son of deceased Avhat he could say. It Avas for the jury to Eay whether it Avas advisable to take an adjournment to enable Mr Lacey to be present. There was no evidence of foul play, but there Avas eA'idence that there Avere places on the roadway and railway line where persons having bad sight, or who Avere in liquor, might easily fall into the Avater. The jury considered that there Avas no necessity to call further evidence, and returned a verdict that deceased was found drowned, adding a rider that the attention of the proper authorities should be called to the unprotected state of the road .rwgj? Jfhere the body Avas found.