THE INQUEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 34

THE INQUEST.

I An inquest was held at Haven«bourne on Monday afternoon concerning the death of Jas. M'lvoi, one of the two young men who were diowned while boating on the harbour on the 23rd mat. The inquest was conducted by Mr C. C Graham, coroner, and Mr John Graham was selected foreman of the jury. William Connell, residing at Rothesay, said he knew deceased, whose body he identified. , Deceased was a boilermaker, and was 22 years of age. He resided with his parents at Ravensbourne "Witness last saw dsceased on the 23rd inst. at his house, and was aware he was going with Wm. M'Callum on a boatmg- excursion. Deceased was accustomed to the use of boats. It was not dangerous in the morning, as the wind was not high. Witness was with deceased's father when the body was found on the 26th inst. in front of Burkes. The body was underneath the water, on the sand It was brought ashore and removed to the father's residence at Ravensbourne. There was a slight abrasion on the side of the face, but this was done by the boat or by the rocks. The body was fully dressed, with the exception of coat, hat, and boots,, and one sock was

Robert John M'Mullin, residing at St. Leonards, said that on the 23rd inst. he wa3 the other side of the harbour, and when coming home he saw deceased a little after 5 p.m., with his friend M'Calium, fastening their guns and boots m a dingey, preparatory to coming across the bay. The weather was then very , rough and stormy. Witness saw them push op — one rowing and the other sitting in the stern baling out. They were out about 100 yards when they were lost sight of, and witness walked on towards Dunedin. Witness did not then anticipate there had been an accident. He heard of it next day. Witness did not think it was safe to set out in so small a boat in' such dirty weather. Witness and his friends had a boat with them, but they left it beliind, thinking it safer to walk home. i Constable Drury mentioned that no one had actually seen the accident, and the jury agreed that it was unnecessary to call further evidence. , The Coroner said the jury could only come to one conclusion : that it was a case of acci- , dental drowning. It was unfortunate young men would be rash on such occasions. It was characteristic of the British people that they ignored danger. An opinion was expressed by Mr Conne'l, the first witness called, that the boat, which was found waterlogged, had not become overturned. but that she had swamped, and the young men had struck out for the shore. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental drowning. j