AFTER A PARTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17220, 1 October 1927, Page 14 (Supplement)

AFTER A PARTY.

r,l AM DROWNED IN WATER HOLE.

DRANK BEER ALL DAY. An inquiry was held at the Cess•loek Courthouse, New South Wales, Ly Mr G. Brown (coroner) Into the death by drowning of Thomas Cherry (58). Cherry had been missing from his homo for nearly a week prior to his body being found in a waterhole at South Ccssnock on August 9. Harry Duggan stated that he attended a party at Leslie Collier’s residence on August 4. After indulging in wine and beer all day the party broke up about 7 p.m. Shortly afterwards he heard Cherry, who left the party under, the influence of drink, calling for help. He went back to Collier, and told him that he thought deceased was in a waterhole. Collier replied: “Let him stop there.” He had a bad memory, and had a hazy recollection as to what occurred. Annie Prince, who said she was also known as Mrs Collier, stated that all were drunk. Collier was too drunk to get up. When Duggan called out that deceased was in trouble she did not take any notice of Duggan, because she thought it was only an excuse for him to get more drink.

John Dahlan stated that after leaving the party he fell ardeep in the hush, but thought he could remember someone shouting out about deceased, Leslie Collier denied that he heard Duggan calling out, “Cherry Is In the creek,”

The coroner returned a verdict of death from drowning, hut there was no evidence adduced to enable him to say how he got into the water. It appeared to him that ail the witnesses had bt-y-u drunk.