WAIROA DROWNING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18992, 17 April 1936, Page 9

WAIROA DROWNING

INQUEST CONCLUDED CORONER'S VERDICT (Herald Correspondent.) The inquest ou the body of James Thomas Dillon, whose death by drowning occurred last Sunday, was concluded yesterday before ]\lr. * \ r . K. Winter, ,'I.P., the district coroner, for purposes of identification. Hector Murdoch, who had known the deceased for 17 years, said he last saw him alive on Sunday as ho was approaching Delhi street, and he seemed happy. Edith Mary Dillon, wife of deceased, said they lived at R.uakituri, where her husband was employed by the County. Council. During recent months deceased had not. been in good health. She last saw him alive about 9 a.m. on Sunday, when he said he was going for a walk, which was a usual thing, and he. gave no indication that ho was tired of life. He was subject to dizziness at times.

John Reuben Williamson, licensee of the Wairoa Hotel, gave evidence that he saw deceased pass the hotel several times, and spoke to him. Later he saw deceased go down to the wharf, and when he. did not come back witness drew the attention of John Dillon, deceased's brother, to the fact. Dr. Hallwright said the cause of death was drowning. Deceased's condition might have-- caused dizziness. • Constable Matches gave evidence of the linding of the body.

The coroner's verdict was that the deceased was found drowned, but that there was no evidence to show how ho got into tlie river. He tendered his sympathy to the widow of the deceased and the relatives.