INQUEST.

West Coast Times, Issue 918, 1 September 1868, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held on the 2?th August, at the Carriers' Home, Totara Eiver, before Justin Ayhner, Esq., Coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr W. G Poole was chosen foreman, concerning the death of Zacdheits A'UoUrt: Niels Paulsen, swdrn, deposed — I am a boatman living on the Totara EiVer. I know the deceased, Zaceheus A'Courfc. On Thursday, the 2-th Augus,!:, I went but fishing with him in a boat about seven in tile mornilij. We , went out to sea about seven or eight miles, and remained out about three hours. When about two miles from the shore, we saw that the ?ea was very heavy. I told deceased it was daugerous, and that I wanted a steer oar, but he would not hear of ifc. When about 60G yards from shore, deceased said, " Look out for a roller." The boat then capsized, and rolled over twice. I caught Hold of an oar, and swam for the shore. I called to the people on shore. A man named Solberg came down to the b'efich, but could not give any assistance. I was about half-an-hour in the water. When I got on shore, I saw deceased about 150 yards off. Iv about an hour Solberg and I went out in a boat to assist deceased. We found him lying across an oar, with his head clown. We" took him into the boat. He appeared dead. By the Jury — Deceased refused to let me use a steer oar.

By the Coroner — The boat was flatbottomed.

Christian" Stflberg deposed— On Thursday, 26th August, about one o'clock, I heard some one calling. I went out on the beach, and saw Niels Paulson and deceased in the water, making for the shore. They were about 200 yards out. Niels Paulsen swam ashore. I hud no boat to go to the assistance of deceased. Mr Hoos pas«fidat the time* I asked him to get me a boat. He rofic off to Bonn -it's. Bennett came down in his boat in about twenty minutes. Niels Paulsen and 1 went out in the boat that had been capsized ; we found deceased lying across the* mast and sail. We took him into the boat, aud used all means to recover deceased. I sent to the police camp, Eoss, and a policeman c:me down, and Dr Zurhorst. In answer to jury : We went out about 200 or 300 yai'ds, It was in the same boat that was capsized.

! Henry Zurborst. sworn, said : lam a 1 duly qualified medical practitioner, living at Eoss. I was walking near the beach on Thursday, August 26, Avhen Constable Walsh told me there was a man drowned, and that his body was at Solbcrg's Hotel. I got on to the constable's horse, and proceeded at once to whero deceased was lying. I fonud him covered with blankets, and a number of men nibbing tho body, which was quite cold. I used all niertns for an hour to restoie deceased, but tliey were of no use. I consider that deceased met his death by drowning. The jury returned a verdict that deceased Zacheus A'Courfc was accidentally drowned on Thursday, 2Glh August, 1868, in the sea, near the mouth of the Totara river, b} r the overturning of a boat and not otherwise. The jury added a rider to the effect that great praise is due to deceased's mate Niels Paulson and Christian Solberg, for risking their lives in tae flat BofilomeA hon t in endeavoring to save the deceased. The funeral took place at Eoss, on Sunday, and was largely attended. Service was read according to the forms of the Church of England, by Mr Fielder.