ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF MR. JOHN TONIGHT SEN., M.P.C.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 1112, 5 August 1871, Page 5 (Supplement)

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF MR. JOHN TONIGHT SEN., M.P.C.

We regret to have to announoe the death, by drowning, of Mr. John Knight, seD., M.P.C*. ; who held the honorary office of.Provinoial Treasurer. From the evidence taken at the inquest, it is supposed that the unfortunate gentleman, being troubled with bleeding at the nose, had gone to the river side to bathe his face, wheu being faint he must have fallen in. One of tho witnesses, Mr. Bridgoman, staled : On Sunday night I wns returning home about half-past 8 o'clock, when £ met Mrs. Knight in the road. She seemed very uneasy, and asked for Mr. Dumbell. I told her ho was coming along the road behind me. She said Mr. Knight had been nway over since 5 o'clock that evening, and had not returned. She said ho went to the blockhouse. Mr. Dumbell came up to us, and I went to tho blookhouse to look for Mr. Knight. Mr. Dumbell followed immediately. We found one of the doors unfastened, and went in. I called out, but received no answer. Mr. Dumbell said we better get a light and procure assistance. I got a light from Mr. Corbett, and he uccotnpanied me back to the blockhouse. We went into tbe building, and found a necktie and an umbrella on the floor, but we saw nothing of the deceased. We went down to the river and found a hat close to the edge of the bank. Mr. Corbett then went iiway to fetch a grapple and line to drag the river with. We searched for some lime, and then seufc for Sergeant Dunn. We continued searching without success nntil 12 o'clock at night. I was present next morning when the body was found. The river in which the body was found is called the Mangatuku. The body* was taken up to the blockhouse. Thomas Edward Rawson, M.D., who made a post-mortem examination of the body, said : There are no marks of violence or, injury about the person. The external appearances are those which are usually found on persons who have been long in the water. An internal examination showed the body to be in a very good state of health previously. Ou examining the nose I found accumulations of blood in each nostril, as if the nose had been bleeding profusely a short time before death. From the natural and calm appearance of the body, I believe that Mr. Knight fainted and fell into the water, especially as there were no indications of tenacity of life — no abrasion of the hauds. I think he was at once drowned while in a state of partial insensibility , and I believe he died from drowning under these circumstances. This concluded the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict asfollows :—": — " That from the evidenceofDr.Kawson, the jury are of opinion that the deceased being on the bank of the Mangatuku River, fainted and fell into the ri.-er, and was drowned on Sunday evening, the 23rd July." The funeral of the late Mr. John Knight, seu., whose death by accidental drowning we recorded in a late issue, took place on the 26th. July. At about 2 p.m. the brethren of the Masonic lodges assembled at the Freemasons' Hall, and from thence marched in full regalia to the residence of the deceased. Here four of tho brethren were called upon to act as pall bearers, aud six as bearers. The hearse was followed by tho chief mourners, then the Masonic body, (each of the brethren having a leaf of acacia in his haud) ; his Honor the Superintendent and the members of the Provincial Council as a body; and a large number of the inhabitants of the place. The venerable Archdeacon Govett read the funeral service ove* the deceased, whoso body was interred on the east side of the cemetery. The brethren of the Masoniclodges then returned to their lodge room, where the solomu and impressive rite of the Masonic funeral service was performed and the lodge closed according to ancient custom. Mr. Knight was an old settler here, and by his uprightness of character had gaiued tho esteem and respect of all who knew him.