THE NEW ZEALAND DEATH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8280, 23 October 1905, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALAND DEATH.

Another Victim.

Mr W. H. Apperley Drowed.

■ A young man, named William Henry Apperley, son of Mr J. Apperley, of Churchstreet, Masterton, last his life by drowning, yesterday, under very sad circumstances. It appears that the deceased was fishing in the Ruamahunga river, in company with Messrs C. Volheim and C. Hauberg. They had been angling for some time at a spot on Mr Rayner's property, at Te Whiti, when Volheim and Hauberg suggested that they should move farther down the river. Mr Apperley replied that he would remain where he was for a while, and catch up later on. With this understanding the young fellow was left, sitting on the bank of the river ; the time then was about .12.40. About three hours later, as he did not put in an appearance the others started back to look for him. Only to discover that he had been drowned, and the body already taken from the water. The body of deceased was first seen floating face downwards by one of Mr Rayner's sons, shortly before four o'clock, and assistance was at once obtained and the body taken from the water. The watch in deceased's pocket had stopped at five minutes to one, so it is surmised that the fatality happened at that hour, or about a quarter-of-an-hour after his companions had left him.

It is thought that the unfortunate young man was "seized by a fit, to which he was at times subject, and rolled into the writer in an unconscious condition. This supposition is strengthened by the fact that he was a good swimmer, and the hole in which the body was found was of such a nature that any person who accidentally fell in might have got out of without difficulty. There was also a mark on the side of his face, which would strengthen the impression that he had struck the root of a tree in falling.

The deceased, who was a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge, was twenty-four years of age, and a carpenter by trade. Much sympathy is felt for the relatives in their sad bereavement. The body was brought into Masterton this morning, and an inquest is being held this afternoon.