FOUND DEAD IN RIVER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 373, 15 March 1932, Page 7

FOUND DEAD IN RIVER.

Inquest into Elderly Man’s D*ath. (Special to the “ Star.”) ASHBURTON, March 15. An inquest concerning the death of Arthur Baker, aged sixty-six, whose body was found in the Rangitata River on February 13, was held before the District Coroner, Mr R. Clark, this morning. Ambrose Theodore Palmer, a farmer, at Rangitata, said that he knew Baker, who was employed by the Railway Department as a bridge carpenter. Witness last saw him walking on to the railway bridge over the south branch of the Rangitata about 7 p.m. on January 27. He then appeared as if he were ill, and his clothes were ruffled and creased as if he had been lying down. There wa* no water in the south branch of the river at the time, but there in the north branch. The bridges were about a mile apart and Baker would have to cross both to get to Ealing. Witness was of the opinion that Baker crossed the bridges and then went down the terrace to the river. George Lawson Brown, who found the body, stated that it was lying face down in two inches of water. A verdict was returned that death was due to drowning, there being no evidence to show how Baker got into the water.