ROADMAN’S DEATH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144328, 17 February 1914, Page 4

ROADMAN’S DEATH.

DUE TO DRUNKEN CARELESSNESS. PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION. "WANGANUI, Feb. 16. Extraordinary evidence was given at tho inquest to-day touching the death of a roadman named Bert Jones, who was drowned in the river at Kaiwhaiki on Tuesday last. Timothy Hogan stated that deceased and he. who were engaged roadmaking, walked to the Upokongaro Hotel, where they stayed till noon. They had four or ’five ''long beers,” and ihey. took away witii them threo bottles of beer and one bottle of whisky, some of which they drank on the way back to their camp. They reached a point on the river opposite to tho camp about 4.45 p.m., and called for a canoe. A boy bronglit ono across, but witness refused to enter it, thinking the craft was unsafe. Jones, however, went in the canoe, which ho rocked till it capsized. Tho boy swam ashore to get assistance for Jones, who was getting on the bottom of the upturned canoe, but when lie returned Jones bad sunk.

A police constable said that he had made inquiries at the hotel, and was satisfied that tho men wero sober when they left there. A half-filled bottlo of whisky was found on the body. The Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased was accidentally drowned through Ids own recklessness, while under the influence of drink.