DROWNING FATALITY SEAR OUTRAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2603, 3 February 1904, Page 12

DROWNING FATALITY SEAR OUTRAM.

THE CORONER'S INQUEST.

When returning from Hindon to Oafram after endeavouring to find a man named Arthur B. Hinchcliff in order to execute a distrees warrant Constable Carmody camo across the body of a man in the l»e© Stream, jammed between some rocks in the middio of the- creek. Tho body, which was in aa advanced state of decomposition, was subsequently identified as that of Hincholiff, who had been mining fo-r sorno days. On Wednesday an inquest was held before Mr 0. O. Graham, coroner, at Outram. Mr T. A.White was foreman of the jury. Constable Carmody stated that on Tuesday he had occasion to go acioss to Hindon to execute a distress warrant againefc Arthur B. Hineholifi, who was described as a sh-eep^ farmer, residing at Hindon. Witnessreached Hinchcliff'e placo about 10 a.m.. and found the door of the hut open. Upon examination it was evident the place badi not been occupied for some. days. Witness and a man named John Edwards searched! the vioinity, but could find no trace of the? missing man. They then went to see arfi undo of Hmehclift's and wero told that Hinehcliff had not been seen for some days, and was thought to be " queer " in his mind. In the afternoon witness was returning to Outrain, and took the short cut by Haggc-rty's Crossing. When he reached the* Lee Stream, about half a mil© below tha intake of the tunnel, he found tho body of deceased lying in the middle, of the stream, jammed against a rock. Th© head was under water and the rest of the body exposed. Deceased was fully clothed wita tho exception of the hat, and appeared to be a maji of about 40 years of age, w-ith! a dark-red, scraggy beard and moustache.The body was re-moved to Out-ram on Wednesday morning. No marks of violence of any kind were found on the body, which was much decomposed. Deceased was recognised by some of those present as Arthur Hinohcliff. The pockets contained nothing with the exception of an account for 6s 3d.i Witness only knew of the man by repute. Deceased had been, described as a man of-ve-ry eccentric habila. Antony David Minn, baker, Outram, ?aid he knew Hincheliff, but could not identify, the body as it was too much decompose!. He last saw Hinohcliff on January 20. Tl.e account found in deceased's pocket witness recognised as one he had give-n Hincheliff.Witness had always regarded Hincheliff a-9 a man of e-ceentrie habits. William Fry, rabbiter, stated he had 1 known Hincheliff for about 11 years, .md identified the body. He was quite- confident deceased was Hincholiff, as he (witness) recognised the clothing-. The. jury returned a verdict that the body was that of Arthur B. Hmcheliff, and that death, was caused by drowning, but as to how deceased got into the water thc-rc wa3no evidence to show. Work on the Ota^o Central line ;s; s boir.g pushed on with a commendable amount of energy". Th© section to Wilson's siding is now practically leady for platelayine, and! the ballast engine will be at work th'.cs month. The pile bridge over the LaudcCreek is completed, and very little remains to be don© to tho ilrmuherikia bridge.