LOST OVERBOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 279, 24 November 1937, Page 6

LOST OVERBOARD

ELDERLY MAN’S DEATH [ Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND, Nov. 23. A verdict that death was the result of being lost from the vessel Pukeko on October 9 off Gable End Foreland, East Coast, was the verdict of the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, today at the inquest relating to Charles Henry Hough, retired stevedore, Auckland. A married daughter, Mrs. Grace Chalmers, said that her father was aged 71. He had domestic trouble arising out of his unhappy second marriage late in life and separation from his wife. When she and her father left Napier on their return to Auckland he seemed in improved health and spirits. The first night out he retired to his cabin early. Captain F. S. Bates, two officers, and a steward gave evidence that Hough was last seen at 4 a.m., wearing pyjamas only, when it was thought that he had returned from the saloon to the cabin. At 6.15 the cabin was found unoccupied. The bed showed signs of having been slept in. The vessel went back two miles and searched extensively. The coroner added that there was no evidence to show whether death was accidental or otherwise.