INQUEST AT TAUPIRI.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIX, Issue 2945, 3 August 1905, Page 2

INQUEST AT TAUPIRI.

An inquest was hold at Taupiri yesterday in tho circumstances surrounding tho death of Joseph Yerbury, who was drowned in the Waikato River on July Ist. .

John McCaig, a settler, residing at Newstead, said on the date in question he and deceased were riding from Nowstead to Pakerairo. They started about 10 o’clock in the morning. After leaving Ngaruawahia they crossed the Waipa hiidge about 5 p.m. They came to a had portion of the road, and got off to walk. Witness had only proceeded a few yards when his horse slipped into the river and started to swim across. He next saw deceased in the water swimming hard on his back after the animal, and called to him to coma back. Vcrbnry sank immediately. He was about four yards out in the river when witnos first saw him in the water. Deceased made no remark before getting into the river, nor did he answer witness’ call. Deceased was quite sober at the timo. Witness denied calling at a place and saying that deceased was drunk. |Ncither of them had any money to get drink. Deceased had no relations in tho colony. Witness was satisfied that the drowning was accidental in an endeavour to save the horse. Deceased did not slip in, as ho left his mackintosh on the bank. Witness met several people near tho spot before tho accident, but did not know who they were. David William Thomas, a waggoner, residing at Ngaruawahia, said on the date in question, about 1.30 p.m., ho mot witness and deceased at a spot called the acacia grove. They were walking their horses. From appearances ho judged that deceased, who was in front, was drunk. He remarked to his mate (Georgo Jackson) that such was the case. Jackson replied: “The man behind is drunk, too.” In his opinion deceased was too drunk to have charge of a horse. Tairua (a Maori) and Constable Kook gave evidence regarding the recovery of the body, and the latter stated that the only articles on the body were a pipe, a knife, and a matchbox. A verdict of “ Accidentally drowned” was returned.