Inquest.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XIX, Issue 3304, 6 September 1901, Page 2

Inquest.

The adjourned inquest on the body of Sidney James Kelly, who was drowned in the Mangapapa creek on Monday week, was held at the residence of Mr Kelly this morning. The ooroner, Mr Gothard, conducted the enquiry, and Mr W..F. Bowden was foreman of the jury. Elizabeth Kelly, mother of deceased, deposed that on the day of the accident she sent the children with her sister, Pansy Ferris, to play at the gate. Some time later her sister came baek and said the? baby was in the ereek. Bushed over to the bank. Did not know whether she jumped in or fell into the creek. Remembered seeing the baby's face as she got to the bank of the creek. Did not remember any more. Knew nothing till the following day. Pansy Ferris deposed that she was eleven years of age, and lived with her sister, Mrs Kelly. Remembered the day of the accident. On that day she was sent to play outßide with the children. Those with her were deceased, Bertie Kelly, and Florence Giles. It was in the afternoon. They played by the gate until Bertie -wanted her to go over to the creek. The four of them went over. After playing there for a while Bhe miaed the baby. Had last seen him sitting playing on the bank. Bushed to the creek and saw the baby in the water. Then ran homß and told Mrs Kelly. Went back to the creek and when she saw that Mrs Kelly was going to jump in, she went for Mrs Jones and Mrs Giles. When she got to the creek again both Mrs Kelly and the baby were in the creek. Mrs Giles pulled the baby to the shore with a piece of rope. The baby was not dead, because he gave a long breath in Mrs Giles' arms. Mary Ann Jones, residing in North Street, deposed that about four o'clock on Monday, the 26th August, she saw Mrs Kelly running from her place towards the creek. Thought something must be Wrong. Heard Mrs Kelly call out, " why didn't you pull him out." Pansy Ferris was with her. Got a rope and ran over to Jhe creek. Mrs Kelly and the baby were under the water in a very deep hole. The hole was between 5 and 6ft deep. Mrs Giles came over and managed to pull the baby out. The baby just breathed its last as they took it out 'of the water. Tried all the remedies they knew of to restore life. The telegraph boy Cox arrived, and the three of them pulled Mrs Kelly out of the ereek. Mrs Kelly was quite unconscious. The jury returned a verdict that the child was accidentally drowned in a creek near the residence of Mr Patrick Kelly on the 26th August.