GAVE LIFE FOR A DOG.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17995, 14 April 1930, Page 6

GAVE LIFE FOR A DOG.

WLIATAWHATA FATALITY. DROWNED IN A WELL. VEDICT AT INQUEST. A coronial inquiry into the death of Alexander Lewis, single, a middleaged drover, who was found drowned in a well on Air. S- Slow’s property, Whatawhata, on March 27, was held before Air F. \V. Plaits, S.AL, at Hamilton this morning. Samuel Slow, farmer, of Koromatua, said lie last saw Lewis alive on Alonday afternoon,. Alarch 24. He said he called at his whare at 2 p.m and 4 p.m. on the following Wednesday, but did not see deceased. Next day, accompanuied by his son, Rex, he again visited the farm, and his attention was drawn to the well, in which were found Lewis’ dog a long pole, and a plank which iiad been removed from the top of the well- About half way between the surface of the water and the top of the well he saw a pair of braces attached to a pipe-line. The depth of the well was about 18 feet and the water was about 8 feet deep. He pulled up the dog, which was dead, with a wire hook. He did not know Lewis very well, but lie would not describe him as peculiar in his habits. So far as he kenw, Lewis was not in financial difficulties, and was not addicted to drink. The same daylie found the dog in the well he conferred with a neighbour named Turner, who also said he had not seen Lewis since Alonday. In the evening he was sent for by the police and informed that deceased’s body had been recovered from the well. Archibald Campbell Turner, shareniilker, of Whatawhata, said he conversed with Slow on Thursday, and later probed about the well with a long li-tree stick. He succeeded in raising Hie body to the surface, which lie recognised as that of. Lewis. lie called a neighbour, * Air Sperry, and both then made sure of the discovery. He last saw deceased alive on the previous Monday. Lewis had an arm which appeared to be partially lysedConstable Aplin described his activities in connection with the recovery of the body. There were, lie said, no apparent marks of violence on the body, but the left foot and shin were bruised. Just above the water level there was a joint in the pipe-line, and it appeared that deceased had stood on this. There was also a mark in the clay side of the well, which seemed to indicate deceased had tried to.-get a foothold, while there were scratchings about the side of the well which might have- been made by fingers. Deceased’s right arm appeared to be deformed and weaker than his left. His object in descending the pipe-line would be to resue the pup. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased was found drowned in the well, into which he had apparently fallen in an attempt to resuo his dog.

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

IVIAN SEVERELY INJURED. AUCKLAND, Saturday. Suffeirng from concussion, a broken ankle, facial injuries and shock, Chas. Alayn’e, single, 31 years of age, was admitted to the hospital this afternoon.