NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES
MISCELLANEOUS DROWNING INQUESTS AND NEWSPAPER REPORTS

LAST UPDATED: Sunday 4 May 2008.

These are inquests and newspaper reports that I have been sent for various drownings. At present they are not in any particular order so you may like to use Ctl+F to search. Thanks to Bill Martin for many of these.

North Otago Times Wednesday 24 1894
In New Zealand during 1893, 147 persons lost their lives through drowning. Of these, 21 fell into rivers or harbours, 10 were bathing, 5 children in tubs, carelessly left exposed, 36 in boat accidents, 13 were travellers crossing rivers, 6 were overtaken by flood, 4 in shipwrecks on the coast, 13 were found drowned, and 1 committed suicide. - Thanks to Bill Martin for this.

Inquest COR 1955 No 64 for Stuart WEIR, 17 years, 1955: He drowned on Jan 18, his body found Jan 19. Inquest 20 Jan at Taumarunui. Coroners Inquest, received Justice HO Wellington on 1 Feb. Copy now in Archives Wellington. His body was identified by his 2nd cousin Ian Robertson McKenzie WEIR, timber merchant, lived at 11 Ward St, Taumarunui. Ian's wife Nancy Joan WEIR said she went to the Wanganui River swimming spot by the Wanganui River Rail Bridge at Matapuna about 3.30 pm with her 3 daughters & 2 other children. John & Leonard DOOGUE arrived at the river about 4.45 pm with Graham WEIR & Stuart WEIR. Graham (10y) could not swim, and Stuart told them in the car he could not swim. Len a secondary school student who lived at 17 Ward St said he met the deceased at Weir & Kenny's Timber Yard. They noticed Stuart missing about 5.45 pm, looked for him and called the police. His body was not found until 1 pm about half a chain from the "beach". Results of post mortem given. His parents not mentioned, nor where he was buried. Were Stuart & Graham brothers? Were they living in Taumarunui or holidaying there, and were they staying with Ian & Nancy WEIR (and working at his Timber Yard)? (John Wilson)

A man named Allan JACKSON, one of the crew of the schooner “Defiance”, drowned at Kakanui on 26th May 1869. On the morning of the day JACKSON and another crew member put off from the schooner in a boat, intending to go ashore, but shortly after entering the river the boat struck a rock and filled, both men being thrown into the water. Both were good swimmers and regained the boat to which they clung, and in this position were drifted out among the breakers. JACKSON continued to cling to the boat and was drowned and was drowned by the waves breaking over him; the other man, with better judgement, and being a superb swimmer, let go of the boat as he saw the wave coming, and rose upon it, afterwards regaining the boat. Meanwhile one of the surf boats was launched and was in time to save JACKSON’s companion but was unable to save JACKSON. JACKSON’s body was washed ashore three days later but as the accident was witnessed by several persons who were on the beach at the time, the District Coroner considered that under the circumstances an inquest was unnecessary.

An inquest was held on the 5th February 1868, at the Totara Station, near Oamaru, by T W PARKER, Esq., R.M., and Coroner, on the body of Thomas LOUDEN, a carpenter, aged about 45, employed on the above station. Deceased with his wife, son, and a little girl named Annie SMITH, occupied a house on the banks of the Waireka Creek, which owing to the sudden rising of the creek on the occasion of the great flood on the night of the 3rd instant, was bodily swept away, and all the inmates drowned. - Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 6th February 1868, at the Oamaru Hotel, Oamaru, by T W PARKER, Esq., R. M., and Coroner, on the bodies of David PETRIE, aged about 25, and William BROOKS, aged about 33, seamen aboard the British ship, “Star of Tasmania,” who were drowned on the occasion of the wreck of that vessel off Oamaru, during the great storm on the night of the 3rd instant, while endeavouring to swim ashore from their ship.- Verdict accordingly.

A Magisterial enquiry was held on the 5th February 1868, at West Taieri, by James FULLTON, Esq., R. M., and Coroner, on the body of John CHAPMAN, a labourer, aged about 35, who was drowned on the Whare Creek during the great flood of the 3rd instant, when the above creek rose to an unusual height, and the deceased was carried away while endeavouring to escape from an Accommodation House on its banks, in which he was sleeping at the time. - Verdict accordingly. An inquest was held on the 5th February 1868, at the Commercial Hotel, Tokomairiro, by John DEWE, Esq., R. M., and Coroner, on the body of Edwin DRAPER, a butcher, aged about 32, whose death took place at Tokomariro on the occasion of the great flood the previous day. Deceased was on horseback, endeavouring to save some cattle, when his horse lost its footing, and both horse and rider were carried away by the flood and drowned. - Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 30th July 1872, at the Queens Arms Hotel, Queenstown, by R BEETHAM, Esq., R.M., and Coroner, on the body of Thomas RUSSELL, aged 15 years, who was drowned in Lake Wakatipu, while washing a horse therin on the 28th July. Verdict.- Accidently drowned.

An inquest was held on the 5th August , at the Empire Hotel, Oamaru, by George SUMPTER, Esq., J.P., on the body of Isaac DAVIS, a shopkeeper, aged 45 years, who drowned in a lagoon at Oamaru on the 1st August. Verdict.- Found drowned.

An inquest was held on the 23rd September 1872, at the Supreme Court Hotel, Jetty Street, Dunedin, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Thomas Cairns BROWN, a joiner, aged 21 years, whose body was found in the Dunedin harbour the previous day, and who was supposed fell through a bridge on the Port Chalmers railway line into the harbour, on the night of the 21st September. Verdict.- Accidently drowned.

An inquest was held on the 24th September 1872, at the Pier Hotel, Stuart Street, Dunedin, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Thomas James ARROLL, a plowman, aged 44 years, whose body was found in the Dunedin harbour that day, and who it is supposed fell off the end of the jetty into the harbour, on the night previous while in a state of drunkennes.. Verdict.- Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 27th October, at the Clyde Hotel, Clyde, by E.H. CAREW, Esq., R.M., and Coroner, on the body of Thomas HUTTON, a carpenter aged 42 years, who fell off the Bannockburn punt into the Kawarau River, at Bannockburn , on the night of the 7th July 1872, and was drowned. drowned.

An inquest was held on the 22nd October 1872, at the Bay Road, Waikivi Bush, by T A MONCKTON, Esq, Coroner, on the bodies of Frederick WHITTING, aged 8 years; Charles WHITTING, aged 5 years; and John WHITTING, aged 10 months; the children of Charles and Caroline WHITTING, who were drowned by their mother in the Waikivi River, Southland District. Verdict.- Wilful murder against Caroline WHITTING.

SEVEN DROWNED IN THE STORM AT TOTARA
An inquest was held on February 5th 1868, at the Totara Station, near Oamaru, by T Wq PARKER, Esq., and Coroner, on the body of Thomas LOUDEN, a carpenter, aged about 45, employed on the above station. Deceased with his wife, son and a little girl named Annie SMITH, occupied a house on the banks of the Wareka Creek on the occasion of the great flood on the night of the 3rd February was bodily swept away, and all its inmates drowned.- Verdict accordingly

An inquest was held on the 6th August 1872, at the Windermere farm, Kakanui, by F A CLOWES, Esq., J P., on the body of Bridget FAIR, or MCCULLOCH, a domestic servant, aged 40 years, who was found dead in a lagoon near Kakanui, on the 3rd August 1872. Verdict - Found dead.

An inquest was held on the 17th December by T.W. PARKER, Esq., R.M. and Coroner, at the Kakanui Hotel, on the body of Thomas PATTERSON, civil engineer, aged 38 years, who was accidentally drowned, the previous day by the capsizing of of one of J. Chaplin & Co’s coaches (in which he was a passenger) while passing the kakanui in flood. From the evidence of the survivors, it appears the accident was attributed to the alarm of some of the passengers at the appearance of water coming into the coach, upon which some of them clambered on top, causing the vehicle to become top-heavy, when it upset. Verdict - accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 17th December by T.W. PARKER, Esq., R.M. and Coroner, at the Kakanui Hotel, on the body of Elizabeth ROSS, school teacher, aged 21 years, who was accidentally drowned by the capsizing of a coach , in the Kakanui River, in which she was a passenger, during flood on the 16th. Verdict - Accidentally drowned. The jury at the above two inquests comprised of Messrs. Hector Brown (foreman), John Barraclough, W. Crawford, J. McArtney, W. Brown, J. Pepperd, John Russell, Robert West, Edward Flynn, Robert Smart, Geoffry Williams, William Dewer.

An inquest took place on Tuesday morning at the Empire Hotel, on view of the body of Anna HARPER, before W J STEWARD, Esq., J. P., Acting Coroner, and a jury of fourteen, whose names are as follows, viz:- John J SPENCE (foreman), J H CLEGHORN, Alfred HEADLAND, Robert GRAY, Robert HOME, Richard LEIGH, John CAGNEY, Benjamin PERRY, James LAWSON. W H ROYAYNE, Charles R LAWRIE, R RICHARDSON, Philip MASON, and Elias HARDING. Sub-Inspector conducted the examination. The jury having viewed the body. The first witness called was Alexander HARPER, the husband of the deceased, who deposed that the deceaswas 22 years of age. They had been married for two years. The face was very livid, and the gooseskin appearance peculiar? to cases of drowning was apparent. Deceased had all the appearance of death from suffocation from asphyxia, produced by drowning. There was no evidence in the condition of the body of any violence sufficient to cause death. Witness (doctor) was of the opinion that the deceased died from drowning. This completed the evidence, after consultation, found as follows: That the deceased, Anna Harper, did come to her death by being accidently drowned in the lagoon at the mouth of the Oamaru Creek, on the morning of the 10th day of September, instant.

An inquest was held on the 12th November 1872, at the Waihemo Hotel, Waihemo, by J W MURDOCH, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of William Pringle ROBERTSON, aged 8 years, who was drowned while bathing in a water dam at Waihemo, on the 10th November 1872. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 28th November 1872, at the Eagle Hotel, Campbelltown, by Francis A MUCKTON, Esq., Coroner, on the bodies of Ann DAVIS, aged 13 years, and Joseph DAVIS aged 30 months, who were drowned in the Mataura River on the 24th November. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on 30th November 1872 , at the Matakanui Hotel, Drybread, by E H CAREW, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Thomas MELLOR, aged 3 years, who was drowned in a tail -race at Drybread on the previous day. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 28th December 1872, at the Northern Hotel Oamaru, by T W PARKER, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Charles Henry DONNELLY, a cook, aged 37 years, who drowned whilst bathing in the Oamaru Creek, at Oamaru , on the previous day. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 15th January 1873, at the Kaitangata Hotel, Kaitangata, by J G SMITH, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Mary REID, aged 9 years, who while plucking flowers on the bank of the Molyneux River, at Kaitangata, on the 6th January, fell into the river and drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 24th January 1873, at Edgar’s Royal Hotel, Waikaka, by J N WOOD, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Ewen MCPHERSON, a shepherd aged 54 years, who was found drowned in the Waikaka River on the 22nd January, and who it is supposed was crossing the river on or about the 8th January. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 17th February 1873, at the Albion Hotel, Invercargill, by F A MOCKTON, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Joseph BENNETT, a bullock driver, aged 28 years, who committed suicide by drowning himself in a waterhole at Woodend township, Bluff Road, on the 15th February. Verdict - The deceased committed suicide by drowning while in a state of temporary insanity.

An inquest was held on the 18th February 1873, at the Reliance Hotel, Otakia, by James FULTON, Esq., R M and Coroner on the body of John Robert KIRK, aged 10 years, who was drowned in the Taieri River, at Otakia, on the previous day, while sculling a boat across the river. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 1st April 1873 at Inch Clutha Hotel, Inch Clutha, by by J G SMITH Esq., Coroner, on the body of Robert STEWART, a labourer, aged 60 years, whose body was found drowned on that day in the Molyneux River, at Inch Clutha, and who it is supposed fell into the river on the night of the 23rd March, while under the influence of drink and was drowned. Verdict - Found drowned.

An inquest was held on the 4th April 1873, at the Toll Gate, East Taieri Ferry, by James P MAITLAND, Esq., R M and Coroner on the body of Silvester KINGSLEY, a labourer, aged 30 years, who was drowned in the Taieri River, at East Taieri, on the 25th March, by the upsetting of a boat. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 12th April 1873, at the residence of Thomas TRUMBLE, Broadland, near Winton, by F A MONKTON, Esq., Coroner, on the body of William Henry TRUMBLE, aged 13 years 6 months, who was drowned on 30th March , in the New River, at Menzies Ford, by the upsetting of a boat. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 15th April 1873, at the residence of Thomas BUXTON, Makarewa Bush, Southland district, by J M MCLURE,Esq., J P., on the body of Robert BUXTON, aged 13 months, who was drowned on the 13th April , by falling into a cesspool in his father’s garden, at Makarewa. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 29th April 1873 at the Roaring Meg Hotel, Roaring Meg, by W L SIMPSON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of Elizabeth HARVEY, married woman, aged 38 years, who fell over a cliff at Gibston into the Kawarau River, on the 19th December 1872. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

Lewis, (or Louis) Rhodes was born 18 January 1884 in Patea and was drowned on 20 December 1908 at Waitara and was buried in the Waitara cemetery on 20 December 1908. From "The Taranaki Herald" Monday December 21 1908
DROWNING ACCIDENT AT WAITARA
“A sad drowning accident occurred at Waitara on Sunday afternoon. A young man named Lewis RHODES, in company with another man named CROWLEY, went to the river near the boatsheds to swim their horses. Neither of them was able to swim. RHODES had entered the water several times. The last time he lost control of the horse and disappeared. CROWLEY made an attempt to rescue RHODES, but being unable to swim any distance, narrowly escaped drowning himself. The affair happened only a few yards from the shore. Mr MITCHELL was on the bank, but, being unable to swim, could not assist the unfortunate man. Constable PRICE was soon on the spot and dragging operations were at once proceeded with. Deceased was a son of Mrs RHODES, boardinghouse-keeper of Waitara, and was about 25 years of age. He was employed at Mr McKENZIES livery stables. The body was found at 3 this morning, close to the spot where deceased was seen to disappear. An inquest will be held.”

An inquest was held on the 10th July 1873, at the Outram Hotel, West Taieri, by James FULTON, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of Andrew BRADSHAW, a labourer, aged 30 years, who was drowned on the 5th July in the Taieri River by the capsizing of a boat in which he was crosing the river. Verdict- accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 12th July 1873, at the residence of Edward COUSTEN, Warepa, by John G SMITH, Esq., Coroner, on the body of David COUSTEN, aged 2 years & 9 months, who fell into a well at Warepa, on the previous day and was drowned. Verdict-Accidently drowned.

An inquest was held on the 22nd July 1873, at Dunedin Hospital, by T M HOCKEN, esq., Coroner, on the body of John McLEOD, a wool sorter, aged 45 years, who fell from the bridge into the Water of Leith River at Dunedin on the previous day and was drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 27th August 1873, at the Mosgiel Factory, East Taieri, by J TODD, Esq., J P., on the body of William DOBSON, aged 2 years & 2 months, who fell into the water race at Mosgiel, on the 25th August, and was drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 29th August 1873, at the Mosgiel Hotel, Mosgiel, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Charles FORRESTER, a farmer, aged 47 years who was drowned at East Taieri on the previous day when crossing the Silver stream. Verdict - Accidentally drowned,

An inquest was held on the 1st October 1873, at the Courthouse, Port Chalmers, by David O’DONOGHUE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Peter WILSON, a sailor, aged 29 years, who fell overboard from the ketch Fanny at Port Chalmers, on that day and was drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 22nd December 1873, at Dunedin Hospital, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Thomas BEAMISH, a labourer, aged 32 years, who was drowned in Dunedin harbour on the 16th December by the upsetting of a boat. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 24th January 1874 , at the Wyndham Hotel, Wyndham, by J A R MENZIES, Esq., J P & Coroner, on the body of Jonathan JAMIESON, a farmer aged 23 years, who was drowned while bathing in the Wyndham River, on the 22nd January. Verdict accordingly.

An inquest was held on the 29th January 1874, at at the Shotover Ferry Hotel, Shotover Bridge, by R BEETHAM, Esq., R M & Coroner, on the body of William McGRATH, aged 2 years 6 months, who was found drowned in a well near his parents residence, at the Shotover Bridge, on that day. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 32st january 1874, at the residence of Adam BEGG, Anderson’s Bay, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Charles Peter BEGG, aged 21 years, who was drowned at the Ocean Beach, Anderson’s Bay on the previous day while bathing there. Verdict- Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 9th February 1874, at the West Taieri Hotel, Outram, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Henry KIXON, a farm servant, aged 18 years, who was drowned in the Taieri River, at West Taieri, on the 4th February, while fording the taieri River on horseback. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 21st March 1874, at Dench’s Jerusalem Coffee and Chop House, Port Chalmers, by David O'DONOGHUE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of John MURPHY, a seaman, aged 22 years, who fell off the lighter Alexandra into the Bay at Port Chalmers on the 12th March and was drowned. Verdict Accidentally drowned.

19 FEBRUARY 1841 WEST BRITON - LOSS of LIFE AT NEW ZEALAND
The following persons were drowned by the upsetting of a boat, on the 15th of August (1841), at Britannia (Petone), the new name of the capital of New Zealand:
Mr. John PIERCE, late of Birmingham
Mr. W. ELSDON, late of London
Mr. Richard HIGHT
Mr. J. LANCASTER, late of London
Mr. Josias TUCKER, late of Cornwall
Mr. GRIFFIN, late of the "Cuba"
Mr. ROGERS, late of Cornwall
Mr. MARTIN, mariner.

ROOTS family and Mary FEIST née ROOTS:
Mary married Alfred FEIST in Wanganui in 1868. She drowned in the Waingawa River, but in 1869 (RG No 263, Wairarapa) not "about 1873" as A.H. Carman has in "Tawa Flat and the Old Porirua Road 1840-1955" page 88 (1956; revised 1970, 1982).The marriage was 1868 from the Marriages CD, and a search of the RG Death Indexes found her death in 1869. The Coroner's Inquest ref. is J1 COR 1869/1354, for the inquest held on (Monday) 17 May 1869 at the house of Alfred FEIST known as The Institute, Masterton. Alfred said that yesterday he was going from Masterton to Carterton with his wife & Peter BACKLAND in a one-horse trap. He noticed the river was up and swollen, and they waited a quarter of an hour. Alfred wanted to wait, but Mr BACKLAND said he would be late for the meeting, and said the river was shallower further up. When they were crossing, Mr BACKLAND was nervous and put out his hand to a rein. One wheel of the trap went on the bank and one in deep water, so the trap capsized. The jury verdict said they were accidentally drowned from not knowing the proper fording place. Evidence also by Jack KENNEDY & John Hy WILSON. Coroner was Hy Thos SPROTT. Inquest 8 pages of evidence plus final page with jury list & verdict. The ITM notice was BDM 20/13 page 219 no 21 (RG 1868 No 1012) Alfred FEIST, Widower storekeeper 33, Res Wanganui 1 week Mary ROOTS, Spinster - 27, Res Wanganui 6 mo Marriage by Registrar, Wanganui. Notice/Certificate 25 April 1868

May 16 1882, drowned Timaru. Three of the bodies of the men lost on Sunday washed ashore near Whales' Creek, and have been conveyed to the Melville Hotel, where they await an inquest. One identified as Emanuel NEILSON, a Swede, boatman, Timaru, formerly in the employ of the Harbour Board.

Wreck of the s.s. Tararua 29 April 1881 : Drowned:
Ashburton: Mr Carl CARLBURG was for many years on the farm of Mr Joseph CLARKE, at Winchmore. He was a Swede by birth, and was on a visit to his native land.
Mr Benjamin HANSEN, a Swede, well known in the Timaru District, where he and his brother were farming. They both sold out, and his brother left for Utah by the last San Francisco mail. The deceased took a ticket for London, and from there was going to Sweden to see his aged mother. He was 31 years of age, dark hair and beard and when leaving Lyttelton had on a dark tweed suit. He had a draft for £50 on the Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch, with him. He is a relation of Mr O. LARSON, Knightstown, Christchurch.
The body brought by the Hawea has been recognised as that of a Swede named Andrew ANDERSON, from Carrick Ranges, aged about fifty. He had been stopping for some days at Boaz's boarding-house, Port Chalmers but it was Mr George MARTIN. After working for many years in the Crowell district, Mr ANDERSON came to Dunedin a few days ago for the purpose of transacting some business before leaving for the Home Country. He intended to go on board the Tararua to proceed Home via Melbourne. His business, however, delayed him in Dunedin, and he resolved to wait for the next boat.

An inquest was held on the 21st March 1874, at Dench’s Jerusalem Coffee and Chop House, Port Chalmers, by DAVID O’DONOGHUE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN MURPHY, a seaman, aged 22 years, who fell off the lighter Alexandra, into the bay at Port Chalmers on the 12th March and was drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 23rd March 1874, at Ormond’s Hotel, Roxburgh, by JOHN BEIGHTON, Esq., J P and Acting Coroner, on the body of William Frederick MILLER, aged 7 years, who drowned while bathing in the river Molyneaux at the Teviot on the previous day. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on 1st June 1874, at the Court House, Port Chalmers, by David O’DONOGHUE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Frank CASSELLS, a tailor, aged 36 years, who was drowned in the Upper Harbour, Port Chalmers, on the 25th May, by the upsetting of a boat. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 15th July 1874, at the Court House, Port Chalmers, by David O’DONOGHUE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Alexander NOALES, a seaman, aged 53 years, who died on board the ship Caroline on that day, from the effects of injuries sustained on the previous night, by falling off the ship’s side, at the Port Chalmers Railway Pier, while under the influence of drink. Verdict - Accidentally killed.

An inquest was held on the 17th July 1874, at the Mosgiel Hotel, Mosgiel, by James FULTON, Esq., R M and Coroner, on the body of June MCNEIL, a married woman, aged 45 years, who was found drowned in a ditch near Mosgiel on the day previous. into which she is supposed she fell on the night of the 15th July, while under the influence of drink. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 13th August 1874, at the Hospital, Dunedin, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of John WALKER, a bootmaker, aged 45 years who drowned in the Dunedin Bay on the 11th August, by the capsizing of a boat. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 2nd September 1874, at the Hospital, Dunedin, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Charles BURGESS, a bricklayer, aged 37 years, who was drowned in Dunedin Bay , near Vauxhall Bridge on the 31st August. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 4th September 1874, at the Swan Hotel, Oamaru, by George SUMPTER, Esq., J P and Acting Coroner, on the body of David HUNTER, a contractor, aged 34 years, who fell off an iron girder, at the railway bridge, at Waitaki, into the Waitaki River on the 2nd September. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 14h September 1874, at the Court House, Port Chalmers, by David O’DONOGHUE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of John McMAHON, a seaman, aged 33 years, who was drowned in Port Chalmers Harbour on the 11th September while attempting to swim ashore from the ship “Tweed.” Verdict - Accidentally drowned

An inquest was held on the 15th September 1874, at the Hospital, Dunedin, by T M HOCKEN, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Malcolm MCGREGGAN, a seaman, aged 29 years, who died there on the 13th September from the effects sustained on the day previous by falling off the railway pier at Port Chalmers into the bay, between the pier ant the ship Otago. Verdict - Died from acute congestion, caused by accidentally falling into the water at Port Chalmers Railway Pier.

An inquest was held on the 14th December 1874, at the Bannockburn Hotel, Bannockburn, by James CORSE, Esq., Coroner, on the body of Samuel BOTTERERELL, a miner, aged 28 years, who was killed on that day by a quantity of earth falling upon him while mining at Pipe Clay Gully, Bannockburn. Verdict - Accidentally killed.

Andrew Sydney SANDS & Mary Ann McKENZIE: There was an inquest on the couple; they drowned in the Dunsdale Stream near Hedgehope. The verdict was suicide by drowning in the Dunsdale Stream between 16th & 28th December 1924. Their bodies were tied together; he put his arms around her from behind, then she tied his arms together with cloth probably from her skirt. The inquest was on Monday 29 December in the dwelling house of Mrs McKAY, after the bodies were found. Evidence from Mary's brother William, and her mother Mary Sturgeon McKENZIE, who said she was a good girl but had given her cheek when she checked her for going about so much with Andrew. She last saw her daughter on the 13th, and reported her missing on the 15th. Andrew's father Ambrose said she stayed at the SANDS' place on the 13th, when she slept with his girls. I think she was sent there with a message? The Inquests (2 files) were received in Wellington in January; J 46, 1925 Nos 37 (SANDS) & 38 (McKENZIE). PS: the coroner was told that there was only one inquest, so he would only be paid for one, please resubmit your voucher (claim).

Lyttleton Times - 22 Jun 1880 - A melencholy accident by which 2 men named ROWLAND and WALLER happened at Waikerikikeri (now Hickory Bay) on Saturday morning last. It appears that the surf boats used by Mr SINCH in loading his vessels with timber had partly loaded in the E.U. Cameron on the day previous. On Saturday morning the first boat reached the vessel safely, but the second boat, manned by the 2 unfortunate men and another named KENCH, was being launched when it hung sometime on the ways shipping a great deal of water, and before the men could drag it outside of the breakers the boat filled and capsized. WALLER was seen for some afterwards and appeared to be heading towards Cameron when suddenly he threw up his hands and disappeared. Rowland attempted to reach the shore, and battled bravely with the surf for a considerable time but ultimately went down. KENCH clung to the upturned boat and was afterwards rescued by the crew of the other boat. ROWLAND was a native of Wales and WALLER had been in the district about 2 years. The body of the man Waller was washed ashore at Waikerikikeri on Sunday morning. An inquest will be held tomorrow.
Lyttlelton Times - 25 Jun 1880 - The Recent Fatal Accident - One of the unfortunate men who lost his life by the upsetting of a surf boat at Waikerikikeri on the Peninsula, as reported in our issue of June 22 was the son of Mr Robert WALLER of Loburn. Deceased was 23 years of age and was much respected by those with whom he worked.
Sent in by Margaret Lyne, Palmerston North.

An inquest was held on the 16th November 1874 at the Bridge Hotel, Kaitangata, by E H CAREW Esq., R.M. and Coroner, on the body of John MORTON, an engineer, aged 33 years, who on the 13th November fell into the Matua branch of the river Molyneux, at Kaitangata and was drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 24th November 1874, at the White House Hotel, East Taieri, by J E BROWN Esq., J.P. , on the body of Joseph BAXTER alias John ELLIS, a tailor and labourer, aged 28 years, who fell off a punt on the Taieri River on the 21st November and was drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 28th November 1874, at the Dunrobin Hotel, Spylaw, by John F HERBERT Esq., J.P., on the body of William Lorimer SHIRLAW, a station labourer and tutor, aged 20 years, who, on the day previous was drowned while bathing in Swift Creek, Spylaw. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 8th November 1874 at the Taieri Ferry Store, East Taieri, by E H CAREW, Esq., R.M. and Coroner, on the body of Henry Crompton HIGGINS, a draper aged 25 years, who was drowned in the taieri River at East Taieri on the 6th November by the capsizing of a dingy. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 24th November 1874, at the Geelong Hotel, Alexandra, by W L SIMPSON Esq., R.M. and Coroner, on the body of Frances Louisa HOOD, aged 19 months, who accidentally fell into a pond of water at Galloway Station, Manuherikia, on the day previous and was drowned. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 2nd January 1875, at the West Taieri Hotel, Outram, by James FULTON, R.M. and Coroner, on the body of Henry SUTHERLAND, a seaman and labourer, aged 20 years, who was drowned while bathing in the Taieri River at East Taieri on the 29th December 1874. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

An inquest was held on the 18th January 1875, at the Waitaki Bridge Hotel, Waitaki, by T W PARKER, Esq., R.M. and Coroner, on the body of Jennie VERTON, a theatrical performer, aged 20 years, who was drowned in the Waitaki River on the day previous by the upsetting of an express in which she was crossing the river. Verdict - Accidentally drowned.

Thanks to Jeni Palmer for the following which come from her CD "Waikato BDMs 1864-1900". See GENCENTRE for further details.

ALFORD On 26 December 1885, at Cambridge, Marian Emma, the beloved daughter of Samuel Alford, drowned while bathing in the Waikato River, aged 14 years and 10 months. [Waikato Times, Tues 5 Jan 1886 + report body found Sat 16 Jan 1886 + report on inquest Tues 19 Jan 1886, see Skelton also]

ALLEN On the 24 inst. at the Bluff Stockade, Waikato River, drowned by the accidental upsetting of a canoe – Private Henry Allen of H M 40th Regt, in the 22nd year of his age. Much regretted by the officers and men of his detachment. [New Zealander, 29 Oct 1863]

BARKER Death by drowning. A boat accident happened on the Waipa River on Monday night, by which a young man named George Barker lost his life. Deceased was employed by Mr Price of Hamilton in the erection of a house for Mr Rathbone on the west side of the Waipa above Ngaruawahia…He was only 23 years of age and was a native of Plougheast Durham where his mother resides, his father having been killed in a trap accident 2-3 years ago. He has it is believed a married sister in the colonies, but he was himself ignorant of her exact whereabouts.… [Waikato Times, Thur 12 Aug 1880] At Ngaruawahia, on August 9 1880, by drowning, George Barker of Hamilton, aged 25 years. The funeral will leave the Victoria hall at 3pm this day. Friends are respectfully invited to attend. [Waikato Times, Thur 2 Sep 1880, inquest report on this day also]

BAYLISS Coroner’s Inquest. An accident which resulted in the drowning of a son of Mr Bayliss of Alexandra occurred on Monday evening. The deceased when returning from school remained behind with a number of other boys to bathe in the Mangapiko creek. None of them could swim and the eldest was only 13 years of age. Two of them, Albert Bayliss and Edward Sturmer remained in the water after the others had gone out and dressed and venturing out of their depth were carried away by the stream. Sturmer rose twice to the surface and grasping an overhanging branch was saved. The body was found next morning held down by a snag. The boys went home that night and fearful of being punished for bathing said nothing of the accident which was not known to the parents until the next day. An inquest was held on the body yesterday when a verdict of “accidentally drowned” was returned. [Waikato Times, Thur 29 Jan 1880, a further report on the inquest was published Sat 31 Jan 1880]

BELL On December 27 at Te Awamutu, drowned whilst bathing, John, the eldest and beloved son of Richard and Margaret Bell of Te Rahu, aged 18 years. [New Zealand Herald, Tues 1 Jan 1895]

BENTLEY The body found in the river by natives near Rangiriri of which Sergt McGovern received notice on Sunday last turns out, as was expected, to be that of G Bentley. It had been removed to Churchill and Sergt McGovern at once recognised it both by the clothes and by the peculiarity that deceased’s left arm was crippled and turned inwards. Bentley was formerly in the army and for this wound received in the arm above alluded to was in receipt of a pension of three shillings a day. He had been missing some three weeks from Hamilton and when last seen had been drinking…An inquest was held on Monday….and a verdict of “found drowned” was returned. [Waikato Times, Thur 6 Sep 1877]

BERRYMAN We regret to have to report the death by drowning of Mrs Berryman the wife of a respectable labouring man residing in Whatawhata…. [Waikato Times, Tues 7 Jan 1879]

BERRYMAN We regret to have to report the death by drowning of Mrs Berryman the wife of a respectable labouring man residing in Whatawhata…. [Waikato Times, Tues 7 Jan 1879]

BISHOP Wreck at Raglan. Loss of life, Ngaruawahia, Sunday. The schooner ‘Echo’ foundered when going out of Raglan Harbour this morning, owing to the tiller-chain breaking. There was a crew of five, three natives and two Europeans. The former saved themselves on the hatches; the latter, Simmonds Jackson and Adam Bishop were drowned. The crew stuck to the vessel until she capsized. [Waikato Times, Tues 21 Aug 1877]

BROWN Supposed case of drowning. In our issue of Thursday we reported the supposed drowning of a man who left Major George’s place at the Piako to buy provisions from Messrs Mowbray and Even’s Store. The man whose name we have since learned to be Henry Brown, was sent by Mr Wallace to the store about 4 o’clock on Monday afternoon but as he did not return the same night, the following morning Mr Wallace made a search for him. He found the horse near the bank of the Piako River, with the saddle and bridle on, but no trace of Brown. Search was continued that evening and the following day by Major George, Mr Ticklepenny and Mr Wallace without obtaining any clue as to his whereabouts. Footprints of a horse however were traced to the ford and these were continued on the opposite bank of the river. There was a heavy fresh in the stream at the time that the unfortunate man started and it is supposed that he being a bad rider and not knowing the ford, his horse stumbled into a deep hole near the ford and threw it’s rider who it is supposed has been carried over the falls a short distance from the crossing. It is believed that his body has become entangled in the snags in which case it is doubtful whether it will ever be recovered. Brown was a new arrival, having come out by the Immigrant ship British Empire a few weeks ago. He was 35 years of age and unmarried and as far as can be ascertained has no friends or relations in the colony. [Waikato Times, Tues 9 Nov 1875]

CHEEK The body of the young man, John Cheek, who was drowned in the Kaueranga River yesterday, was recovered today. Deceased was about 26 years of age and it is believed his mother (a Mrs Abbott) resides at Lucas Creek, Auckland… [New Zealand Herald, Mon 1 Apr 1895]

CLARKE We learn that a young lad named Edward S Clarke, step-son of Mr Mackay, 14 years of age, employed as an assistant cook on board the SS Rangiriri was drowned at Ngaruawahia on Thursday evening. The steamer was lying at the time at Lamb’s Wharf and the boy is thought to have fallen overboard. Up to last accounts the body had not been found. [Waikato Times, Sat 11 Dec 1880 + article on inquest when body found Sat 30 Jul 1881]

CLEARY Drowning at Auckland. The man who drowned from the wharf last night and who had a Te Awamutu railway ticket in his pocket is believed to be Angus Cleary. [Waikato Times, Thur 23 Jun 1887]

COGAN On February 20, drowned at Cambridge, Waikato, Francis Cogan; aged 28 years. Nelson papers please copy. [Southern Cross, Fri 26 Feb 1869]

CONOLLY William. A gloom was cast over the township of Ngaruawahia yesterday by the accidental drowning of a man named William Conolly, who in his position in life commanded the respect of all. It appears that a boy about 7 years of age was playing in a canoe; the canoe by some means or other broke adrift and floated down the river. The accident was reported to the deceased who started in a small canoe accompanied by a man named Thomas Wright, in pursuit of the fugitive which, before they caught it, had become entangled between two logs and the strength of the current prevented it being extricated. The two men determined to leave her where she was and return to the township in the small canoe; in getting into her she was swamped. The survivor Thomas Wright succeeded in getting hold of the boy and getting ashore with him by Conolly drifted down the river. Wright says he called out to him to strike for the shore, whether he attempted to do so he cannot say, however that may be the unfortunate deceased sank…Conolly leaves an aged and infirm widow to mourn his loss, for whom great commiseration is felt. [Waikato Times, Thur 18 Jun 1874, p2, col 1]

COOPER On March 18, drowned while crossing the Waihou River, James Sims Cooper Esq, late of Red Hill, Surrey. [Southern Cross, Sat 25 Mar 1871]

COULTAS At 11 o’clock on Sunday morning last, Mr John Abbott, merchant of Parnell received a telegram from Whangamarino to the effect that Miss Mary Coultas, aged 13 years, the only daughter of Mr John Coultas, proprietor of the Whangamarino flax mills, Waikato (late of E J Cox) had been drowned in the week.… [Southern Cross, Tues 8 Jan 1870]

COWPER Lamentable boating accident, Auckland, last night…three persons were drowned, Captain Daniels, Miss Laura Cowper and Miss Agnes Lyell… Miss Cowper was a young lady from Hamilton on a visit for a few days in Onehunga. One body was found, being that of Miss Cowper… [Waikato Times, Sat 22 Mar 1890] On Thursday 20th inst, Laura Matilda, the eldest and dearly loved daughter of Henry A and Mary E Cowper, who was drowned by the upsetting of a boat, aged 20 years and eight months. [Waikato Times, Tues 25 Mar 1890]

COX Drowning accident at Rangiriri…found the body of John Cox close to the spot where the accident occurred…The deceased who was 38 years of age leaves a widow and eight young children. [Waikato Times, Tues 11 Aug 1885]

DAVY It is with much regret that we have to record the death of Mr Edwin Davy, surveyor, who was drowned while bathing near Shortland on Saturday morning last. The news was brought up to town by the ‘Royal Alfred’ late on Saturday night, by one of the men in the employment of Mr Hardington. That gentleman who was brother-in-law to the deceased was immediately communicated with and informed of the melancholy event and in company with his sister left for Shortland yesterday afternoon in the ps ‘Lalla Rookh’. The deceased gentleman has been engaged at Shortland for some little time past as surveyor and his wife only left town to visit him on Saturday morning and on landing learned the sad news of her husband’s death. [Southern Cross, Mon 15 Feb 1869 + notice Tues 16 Feb 1869]

DIXON An old Waikato resident named Dixon, commonly known as Sir Willoughby Dixon was drowned in the Puniu at Anderson’s crossing on Friday 9th inst. It appear he had come from Paterangi – where he has lived for more than 20 years - to celebrate the Prince of Wales’ birthday and on the way back from here he turned up the road past Mr Bryant’s farm and following it got down to the Puniu where in attempting to ford it he was drowned.… [Waikato Times, Tues 13 Nov 1888]

DUNN Our Huntly correspondent writes: Through the description given by the police at Drury the body of the man found drowned at Sippery [sic] Creek has been identified as that of James Dunn, late mine manager for Whitaker and Russel of this place…He leaves a wife and seven children totally unprovided for. [fuller article follows, Waikato Times, Tues 27 Jul 1880]

EDE A particularly sad drowning accident occurred at Hamilton yesterday by which a promising young lad named John Ede, 16 years of age, of Woodlands, lost his life.… [Waikato Times, Thur 2 Oct 1884 + Sat 4 Oct 1884 + Tues 7 Oct 1884]

FLEMING A coroner’s inquest took place on Tuesday the 11th inst at the Delta Hotel…to enquire as to the cause of death by drowning of Mr Richard Fleming of Ngaruawahia.… [Southern Cross, Tues 18 May 1869]

FLETCHER A sad drowning occurred in the Waikato River at Hamilton on Saturday afternoon at about 4pm. A young man, aged 21, named Francis Fisk Fletcher, son of Mr J Fletcher, tailor of Hamilton East and minister of the Church of Christ was paddling up the east side and when near the last willow tree below Coates’s landing he stood up to adjust the mast. The frail craft heeled over and young Fletcher was precipitated into the water.… [Waikato Times, Tues 22 Feb 1887 + body found Tues 1 Mar 1887]

FOLEY On May 29 1900, accidentally drowned at Katikati, Dennis, second son of the late Edmund and Winifred Foley and brother of Thomas Foley, of the Shakespeare Hotel, aged 60 years. The funeral will leave the Shakespeare Hotel, Albert St for the Symonds St Cemetery tomorrow at 3pm. Friends please accept this intimation. [New Zealand Herald, Sat 2 Jun 1900]

FOOTE Thomas, died 24 Jun 1906, at Huntly, aged 41 years, flax miller. Cause of death accidentally drowned in Lake Waikere. Buried Kimihia Cemetery, Huntly. Born South Australia, in NZ 28 years. Son of James Foote, ?farmer and Ann Foote, nee Griffen. Married at age 19 in NZ to Mary Stewart Hill. Male issue living aged 19 and 5, female issue aged 16, 13, 12, 10 and 6. Anglican. Informant James S Bond, Coroner, Hamilton. [RG1906]

FRY Drowned in the Waikato, on November 16, John Starkey Fry, aged 42 years. [Southern Cross, Fri 4 Dec 1868]

FRY Drowned in the Waikato, on November 16, Charles James George Fry; aged 11 years. [Southern Cross, Fri 4 Dec 1868]

GILLESPIE A private telegram received here states that S Leonie and Viva Gillespie, aged 14 and 16, daughters of Mr H C Gillespie, manager of the Kauri timber works, Thames, were drowned in the Kaneranga yesterday afternoon. [Christchurch Star, Wed 1 Apr 1891]

GLYDE The body of Glyde, the engineer who was drowned off the Rangiriri below Mercer a fortnight ago has been recovered. [Waikato Times, Thur 5 Feb 1885]

HALL On October 2, drowned at Hape Creek, Mr Joseph Hall. The funeral will leave Mrs Hall’s residence Grafton Rd, on Wednesday at 3 o’clock. Friends will please accept this invitation. [Southern Cross, Tues 5 Oct 1869]

HARGROVE A melancholy accident occurred at Mystery Creek near Mr Gane’s farm close to Cambridge on August 17 resulting in the death [by drowning] of a young man named Hargrove, nephew to Mr Hughes… [Southern Cross, Tues 6 Sep 1870]

HARLING The body of Miss Maud Harling, who drowned at Motatapu on Saturday last was recovered on Tuesday near the place where the accident occurred. The body was conveyed to Auckland and placed to the morgue. [Waikato Times, Thur 23 Feb 1891]

HARVEY Drowned in the Waikato River on the 5th January, Samuel Harvey, carpenter, aged 48. [Waikato Times, Tues 8 Jan 1878]

HENARE Native chiefs drowned. Paeroa Wednesday. A good deal of excitement has been caused among the Ohinemuri natives consequent on the death of Pareana and Henare, two well known characters, by drowning. [Waikato Times, Thur 11 Feb 1886]

HIRA A native drowned at Cambridge. Unusual excitement prevailed in this township during the afternoon of Sunday last, when it became known that a native named William Hira of the Maungatautari tribe had accidentally met his death whilst bathing in the river… [Waikato Times, Tues 29 Mar 1881]

HUGGERS Paeroa. A man named Jas Huggers, a miner, was washed from his horse while attempting to cross the Hikutaia River near Crawford’s house this morning and was drowned… [Waikato Argus, Thur 20 May 1897]

HUKUNUI Drowning of a native chief and recovery of body…Hukunui, who was a Ngatihaua chief residing at Maungatautari of some consideration was drowned… [Waikato Times, Thur 15 Nov 1877]

INNES Inquest Te Awamutu yesterday. The inquest was held this morning in the Public Hall before Thomas Gresham Esq (Solicitor) District Coroner. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased, Isabella Winifred Innes, the infant daughter of Mr Charles Innes, brewer, was playing with her sister and brother, aged respectively 3 and 4 years when she fell into a tub of water and was drowned. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence. [Waikato Times, Thur 6 May 1880]

JACKSON The police were informed yesterday that the body of the lad Frank Jackson who was drowned in the Waikato River near Taupiri some days ago has been recovered and he now lies a the Coal Mines Hotel where an inquest will be held today at 10am. [Waikato Times, Tues 8 Jun 1880 + inquest report 12 Jun 1880]

JAMES Boating accident Thames. A melancholy boating accident occurred at the entrance of the Thames River yesterday about noon. Four men named Rea (senr), Rea (junr), Coloquohon and John James started from Tararu for the Piako in an open boat during a severe north-westerly gale…The boat was found this morning in mid channel bottom upwards but no sign of the occupants…[Waikato Times, Tues 12 May 1885] John, on 9 May 1885 at Firth of Thames, miner, aged 44 years. Cause of death, verdict of jury accidentally drowned. Son of Joseph James, miner and Jane Williams formerly James born Hodge. Buried 17 May 1885, Tararu, Wesleyan. Born Cornwall, England in NZ 28 years. Married in Thames at age 35 to Harriet Poulgrain. 4 female issue aged 8 ½, 4, 2 ¾, 8 months. Informant James Kilgow, coroner. [RG1885/41]

JOHNSTON Drowning accident at Cambridge. Whilst playing on the grounds adjoining the house of Mr W Moon of Cambridge the illegitimate [18 month old] child of a girl named Emily Johnston was accidentally drowned…[Waikato Times, Thur 28 Dec 1882]

JOHNSTONE Karamu Drowning Accident, Body Discovered. The body of Mr Lindsay Johnstone was recovered from the flood water near Mrs Bruce’s residence at Karamu, shortly before midnight last night and was taken to the residence of Mr Campbell Johnstone. An inquest will be opened this afternoon. The funeral will leave the Frankton station at 1.30 pm tomorrow (Thursday) for the Hamilton West Cemetery. [Waikato Times, Wed 28 Jul 1915]

JUKES A melancholy accident occurred on Tuesday whereby one of our most respected settlers met with his death. Mr Jukes who some little time since purchased the farm of Mr Hunt, on the Waikato River, had started for the sale at Harrisville and having swum his horse across the river with the help of a canoe and safely landed on the other side just opposite Mr Ashwell’s remounted for the purpose of proceeding up to Harrisville. Immediately on mounting his horse turned restive and commenced back jumping and backing into the river threw his rider, who was kicked in the head by the horse and thus being rendered unable to save himself was carried away by the stream and drowned. Mr Jukes was a married man but we believe without a family. [Waikato Times, Thur 1 Apr 1880] The inquest on the body of Charles Priestly Jukes was held at Taupiri Hotel yesterday morning at 10 o’clock before Dr Beale coroner and a jury of 12. Horace Reeves his brother-in-law gave evidence…A verdict of accidental drowning was returned. The body was interred on the west side of the river, a goodly number of settlers attending. The Rev William Calder read the service. [Waikato Times, Tues 6 Apr 1880]

KEAN A youth named James Kean, aged 16 was drowned on Thursday last the 14th, in the Mangapiko creek, an affluent to the Awaroa which falls into Lake Whangape. The lad was accompanying his uncle Mr J Gedsell with whom he resided… [Waikato Times, Tues 19 Sep 1893]

KINGDON The particulars of the sad drowning accident which befell the youth S Kingdon while attending the Wesleyan picnic on the property of Mr Richard Reynolds, Pukerimu, on Monday last have come to hand… [Waikato Times, Thur 4 Jan 1883, + Sat 6 Jan 1883]

LAMPRA The Te Kuiti drowning case. The body of Lampra, drowned some four weeks since has been recovered in the river at Te Kuiti… [Waikato Times, Tues 30 Jul 1889]

LAVER Our Raglan correspondent writes. It becomes my sad duty to have to chronicle the death by drowning of Miss Edith Wallis, daughter of Mr W Wallis JP and also that of a young lady, 16 years of age, named Miss Minna Laver, who was staying with Mr Wallis’ family. They were returning from church at Raglan on the 24th inst by boat which was proceeding under sail when a squall of wind struck her causing her to capsize suddenly… [Waikato Times, Thur 28 Dec 1882 + inquest Sat 30 Dec 1882]

LAYCOCK On March 16, accidentally drowned, Mary Ann Laycock, mother of Henry Laycock, proprietor of Sir George Grey Hotel, Tairua, aged ?86 years. Deeply regretted. Home papers please copy. [New Zealand Herald, Tues 14 Apr 1896]

LIPSEY We regret to have to announce that one of the sons of Mr George Lipsey of Te Aroha was drowned yesterday evening while out in a canoe on the river near his father’s house with another boy, Waldo Smith…though his brother August, who was in another canoe further down the river, dived in to his rescue, he was unable to save him…The deceased was only 10 years of age and much sympathy is felt for this family in their sad loss. [Waikato Times, Thur 14 Jan 1892]

McCANN An inquest was held on Thursday …into the drowning of Mrs Ellen McCann… [Waikato Argus, Sat 21 Nov 1896]

McDONALD On May 14, drowned at Maungatawhiri Creek, Thomas, son of Edward McDonald, of Carnagrove, Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, Ireland. Home papers please copy. [Southern Cross, Wed 12 Jun 1867]

McGUINNESS On July 15, accidentally drowned at Gumtown, Mercury Bay, James, youngest son of the late Patrick and Margaret McGuinness and brother of Mrs A McMillan, Alexandra St, aged 53 years. RIP. [New Zealand Herald, Sat 21 Jul 1906]

McINTOSH Drowned in the Waikato River on the 15th September 1853, William McIntosh, Carpenter to the Waikato Heads Institution, his brother Alexander and his eldest son. [New Zealander, 5 Oct 1853]

McLEAN The body of the late Mr James McLean, who was drowned in the Piako River on Sunday last, was discovered about three o’clock on Monday afternoon… [Waikato Argus, Thur 6 Apr 1899]

McLIVER A woman drowned in the Waihou. Supposed to be Mrs H McLiver. This afternoon the body of a well dressed strongly built woman about 35 years of age was found floating in the Waihou some miles below Te Aroha and now lies at the Palace Hotel. Nothing is known respecting the deceased. The body has apparently been in the water for about three weeks. [Waikato Times, Thur 28 Oct 1886]

McMAHON On Monday evening last a child named McMahon [son of Patrick McMahon] was drowned in a place called Clare’s swamp at Cambridge… [Waikato Times, Thur 28 Oct 1886]

MACKY A sad accident occurred on Saturday (writes the Thames correspondent) at Belmont, Paeroa by which a young lady named Mary R Macky lost her life [by drowning]…She was the only daughter of Mr S C Macky of the Thames and granddaughter of the Rev J Macky of Otahuhu. Her death will be mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends. She was 18 years of age. [Waikato Times, Tues 21 Mar 1882]

MARSHALL The body of the Mr George Marshall [late of Otahuhu] who was accidentally drowned at the Thames on Thursday last was brought up to town in the p.s. Williams last evening. [Southern Cross, Sat 24 Sep 1870 + longer article same day]

MARTIN On February 7, Peter Martin, by drowning, aged 19. [Waikato Times, Sat 14 Feb 1874]

MATHEWSON Found drowned, Tauranga. The body of a man named H Matthewson was found floating in the harbour today. He had been missing for several days. [Waikato Times, Thur 16 Jun 1881]

MELSOP On Sunday afternoon a lad named Henry Melsop was drowned at Coromandel by the capsizing of a boat. There were two others in the boat, Alfred Chapman who swam ashore and William Melsop, brother of the deceased, who was rescued by a settler named Browland, who seeing the accident at once put out his boat. The search for the body has been unsuccessful. [Waikato Times, Thur 26 Feb 1891]

MOFFITT At Ngaruawahia, on Wednesday March 2, James Henry, eldest son of Edward John and Sarah Ann Moffitt. Drowned in the Waikato River while bathing, aged 17. Jesus has gathered him Home. [Waikato Times, Sat 5 Mar 1892 + memorial notice Sat 3 Mar 1894]

MULLIONS Joseph, died 27 Aug 1869, Waikato River, aged 19 years, assistant steward on board steamer “Bluenose”. Cause of death – drowning. Informant B C Beale, coroner, Hamilton. [RG1869]

NEILSON The late fatal case of drowning. An inquest was held yesterday at Ngaruawahia on the body of the unfortunate man, William Neilson, who was drowned in the Waikato river during the week before last by falling from the steamer ?alert, into the river about 3 miles above Ngaruawahia. The jury returned a verdict of “accidentally drowned”, adding by way of rider, that the steamer was not sufficiently equipped with means for saving life. [Waikato Times, Tues 28 Nov 1876]

NEWELL On Sunday morning about 10 o’clock, Robert Henry Newell, aged 35 years was drowned while bathing in the Waipa River at Ngaruawahia…He was the only son of Mr Hamilton Newell of Ngaruawahia and leaves a wife and a young family of three children… [Waikato Times, Tues 3 Nov 1891]

PAHEHA Maori drowning accident at Taupo. The body picked up at Cambridge...came to the conclusion that the body was that of Hoani Paheha… [Waikato Times, Sat 7 Jul 1883]

PARK A boy about 12 years of age, son of Robert Park and nephew of the well known canoeist was drowned on Monday last. He was in a boat with his father and another man. The current carried the boat over the bar. The deceased was drowned in the surf but the two men were rescued. The body has not been found. [Waikato Times, Thur 6 Feb 1890]

PARKES Huntly. The late drowning accident. The body of the lad [George] Parkes drowned on Wednesday last was found early on Sunday morning, being brought to the surface by the explosion of dynamite cartridges… [Waikato Times, Tues 15 Nov 1892]

PEARSON Sad accident at Raglan. We regret to have to record the death by drowning of Mr A B Pearson of Canterbury… [Waikato Times, Thur 9 Nov 1882]

PICKUP Rangiriri Death by Drowning. An unfortunate case of drowning occurred on Thursday at Rangiriri opposite the house of Mr Sherly. A lad named John Pickup, the son of one of the settlers there, went to bathe about two o’clock and alone. At four o’clock on looking for him – he had been missed from home – his clothes were found on the bank. At that spot the river is most dangerous, suddenly alternating from about two feet of water to twenty-feet. It is supposed that he stepped over the ledge into deep water and being unable to swim was drowned. Constable Coyle and others searched the bank some distance down and the river was dragged but the body has not been recovered. [Waikato Times, Sat 13 Jan 1877]

PORCH We regret to have to announce the death by drowning of Miss Emma Porch, sister of Mr Campion of Mercer. It appears that the deceased young lady went to bathe in the Waikato River on Sunday morning. She was accompanied by a servant girl, who having finished her bath and dressed herself returned to the Hotel, leaving Miss Porch in the water. As she did not return to the Hotel within reasonable time she was searched for. Her clothes were found on the bank of the river but no sign of the young lady could be discovered up to the time of our going to press, no tidings of the discovery of her body reached us. We fear that there is no room to hope that the missing young lady has not met with a watery grave. [Waikato Times, Tues 29 Dec 1874]

POUKENA The inquest on Poukena, the native tohunga who was found drowned at Mercer, resulted in an open verdict. [Waikato Times, Thur 17 Jul 1890]

PRIOR The late drowning accident at Raglan. It is with deep regret that I have to report a very sad accident here. A boat left Waitetuna on the morning of Thursday, the 15th inst, for Raglan containing three settlers, Messrs William Robertson, Thomas Prior and Richard Wilson junr…no signs of Mr Robertson…The funeral of the deceased Thomas Prior took place on Sunday afternoon. He was the son of a London Barrister…He leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss...Mr Robertson leaves a wife and a large family of young children. [Waikato Times, Tues 19 Oct 1886 + inquest report]

REYNOLDS The body of Mrs Richard Reynolds was found floating amongst the timber in the booms near the Waikato River at Cambridge on Thursday morning about 7.45am. This clearly proves that the conjuncture of the search party was correct viz that the deceased lady had met her death by drowning…. [Waikato Times, Sat 19 Dec 1891]

SANDERSON An inquest was held on Tuesday… touching the death of Alexander Sanderson whose melancholy decease by drowning in the Waikato River at Ngaruawahia was referred to in our last issue... [Waikato Times, Thur 2 Jan 1879]

SAVAGE Supposed drowning case at Orakau. A man named George Savage, employed at the farm of the Messrs tole, near Orakau. Proceeded on some business on horseback across the Puniu River on Sunday morning and has not been heard of…Fears are entertained that he has been drowned. [Waikato Times, Thur 9 Nov 1882]

SELBY A sad gloom was cast over Cambridge on Thursday evening when it became known that Mr Arthur Selby, son of Mr Wm Selby of Hautapu had been accidentally drowned in the Waikato…Much sympathy is felt for the family to whom this will be a terrible blow for about 9 years ago they lost a fine young man by the accidental discharge of a gun. The deceased was a great favourite and highly respected. [Waikato Times, Sat 16 Feb 1889]

SHARP A drowning accident of a very sad character occurred at Horahora near the bank of the Waikato River on Saturday last, by which the 4- year-old daughter of Mr John Sharp, nurseryman, Cambridge, lost her life…[Waikato Times, Tues 15 Jan 1884 + Thur 17 Jan 1884 + body found Sat 2 Feb 1884]

SHAW Information was received here yesterday morning of another case of drowning which occurred at Waikawau about 4 miles north of Tapu creek on the previous evening. The deceased William Shaw, a blacksmith by trade, and a new arrival in the colony, went to bathe in the driving creek of Waikawau Sawmill at about 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. He went alone. Being missed some time after a search for him was made and his body was found in the creek… [Thames Advertiser, Mon 7 Feb 1876]

SHORT Accidentally drowned on June 9, at Te Awamutu, Joseph Henry, the dearly beloved son of Emma and Andrew Anderson, aged 22 years… [New Zealand Herald, Wed 12 Jun 1895]

SINDEN We received a telegram yesterday from our correspondent at Alexandra conveying the sad intelligence of the drowning of [Catherine Agnes, 17 years], daughter of Mr Sinden of Alexandra West on Thursday evening… [Waikato Times, Sat 18 Mar 1893 + report Tues 21 Mar and death notice Sat 25 Mar 1893]

SINGLETON Death by drowning. A young man named John Singleton, who has been engaged gum digging for some time past near Washer’s farm at Pukete was accidentally drowned on Sunday last. He went down to the river at Pukete with two others to bathe on Sunday morning and neither of the three could swim. Singleton got out of his depth and was carried away by the current. The body has not been recovered. Deceased was a native of Blackburn, Lancashire and it is said was very respectably connected. The deceased has property in Auckland. It is likely that the body will be found in the shallows down at Rangiriri, when an inquest will be held. [Waikato Times, Tues 10 Feb 1880]

SKELLERN Drowning accident at Huntly. A sad drowning accident occurred at Taupiri yesterday. A man named Charles Skellern employed by the Waikato Coal and Shipping Company was engaged in warping up a barge to the company’s wharf when he lost his footing and fell into the river. Being unable to swim he soon sank but the body was recovered within half an hour, not a hundred yards from the scene of the accident and close to the deceased’s own house. Skellern was a married man and leaves a widow and three children. An inquest will be held today. [Waikato Times, Thur 11 Nov 1886]

SKINNER Fatal accident at Huntly. A sad accident occurred at Huntly on Thursday evening, Alfred Skinner, son of Mr John Skinner, while playing in a boat on the river, fell out and was drowned. [Waikato Times, Sat 4 Jan 1890]

STEVENS Fri 21 Oct. Hamilton. The body of James Stevens, who was drowned in the Waikato River on the 3rd inst was picked up by the Waipa steamer on Wednesday last and conveyed to Rangiriri to await a coroner’s inquest which took place at Shirley’s Hotel on Friday 16th inst before Mr B C Beale, coroner and a respectable jury of which Thomas Douglas Esq was foreman… [Southern Cross, Fri 23 Oct 1868]

TAVENOR Death by drowning. George Tavenor, formerly a member of the Armed Constabulary and clerk in Colonel Moule’s office has been drowned in the Kauwaeranga creek at the Thames. He had been recently working at Waikawau bush. He left there and went up the Kauwaeranga on the 1st of this month and was last seen alive on the 3rd inst. He was then and had for days been mentally deranged from the effects of drink. When last seen by some persons he was kneeling in the dry bed of the creek. He had his hands stretched upwards and would not answer them or go with them. A verdict of drowned was returned at the coroner’s inquest on the body. [Waikato Times, Sat 20 Nov 1875]

THOMPSON On Tuesday Sep 23, drowned in the Waipa River, C Thompson, aged 45 years, late of Glasgow. [Waikato Times, Thur Oct 3 1878]

TIERNEY Death by drowning. A melancholy fatal accident happened at the Hamilton railway bridge shortly before 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon…James Tierney, was a young man about 23 years of age. ..[Waikato Times, Sat 9 Jun 1883 + Tues 12 Jun 1883]

TURNBULL On Sunday January 31st, John Turnbull, second son of John Turnbull Piako, aged 22 years. Drowned whilst bathing in the Waikato River. [Waikato Times, Tues 2 Feb 1886 + article same date + finding of body Tues 9 Feb 1886 + inquest Thur 11 Feb 1886]

VERRAN Fatal accident to one of Quick’s coachman. Our Cambridge correspondent writes “Again I have to report a fatal accident, which I am sorry to say is the third that has occurred in this district since the commencement of the year. Thomas Verran has been for the last month or two driving Quick’s coach between Cambridge and Ngaruawahia…both the horse and his rider were drawn under and drowned. By directions of Sergeant Chitty a party of Constabulary immediately proceeded to drag for the body which they found after the lapse of two hours. The deceased owing to his occupation was well known to everyone in the district and he was highly esteemed. His loss is deeply deplored by all in the settlement. [Southern Cross, Fri 19 Jan 1872]

WALLIS On Jul 5, accidentally drowned at Raglan, Jabez Bunting, youngest son of the Rev J Wallis, Wesleyan Minister, Onehunga, aged 18 years. Home papers please copy. [Southern Cross, Sat 10 Jul 1869]

WHITE …An inquest was held at Te Papa yesterday by Mr G W Russell JP, upon the remains which had been found on the bank of a creek about two miles from that place. Only the bare bones remained but Mr McClelland identified them by the clothes and also by letters in the pockets as the remains of A B White who had called at his store about five weeks ago on his way to Mr Geo. Walker’s at Hunga and had been drinking heavily. He evidently lost himself and fell into the creek and was drowned. A verdict of accidental death was returned by the jury. Constable Brennan and Mr James Master, native interpreter of Cambridge assisted the acting coroner in the enquiry. The body had evidently been devoured by eels. [Waikato Times, Sat 15 Dec 1888]

WILSON A fatal accident occurred at Kauwaeranga Creek today. A gum packer named Wilson fell off his horse while crossing and he was drowned. The body has not yet been recovered. [Southern Cross, Mon 14 Nov 1870]

WILSON It is our painful task to record an occurrence that has cast a gloom over the township. On Tuesday last, Charles William Wilson, a young lad of about 14 years of age and son of our respected fellow townsman Mr William Wilson, draper … [was drowned]. [Te Aroha News, Sat 15 Sep 1883, p.2., col. 5&6, Includes inquest details and names jurymen: Robert G. Macky (foreman), Thomas Bradley, James Clarke, Alfred Ellis, Harold Bromfield, William Jeffries, John Coleman, James Joseph Bennett, Daniel James Frazer, Daniel Redwood, Patrick Quinlan, Nicholas Clearly, Henry Smith and Robert Mackie]

WINTER Paeroa. A girl named Lucy Winter, aged 9 years was drowned at the Junction Mill yesterday evening while getting a bucket of water from the river. The body was recovered in about an hour. An inquest will be held this afternoon by Mr Phillips, deputy coroner. [Waikato Times, Thur 14 Apr 1892]

WOOD Recent drowning at Otorohanga. On Monday the district coroner held an inquest on the body of Alfred John Wood, the younger… [Waikato Times, Sat 4 Feb 1893]

YOUNG At the lake Hamilton West, by drowning, Joseph Young, aged 12 years. The funeral will leave his parents [Benjamin and Isabella’s] residence this day (Tuesday) at 3.30pm. Friends please accept this invitation. [Waikato Times, Tues 21 Nov 1876]

THE WRECK OF THE LOUISA
West Coast Times P3 C1 - June 11 1868
The cutter Louisa, owned by John HARRIS, after a severe struggle, has broken up near the Saltwater and all hands are supposed to have perished. The County Chairman has courteously favored us with the following information:- Mr BONAR has received a telegram from Greymouth to the effect that the schooner Louisa, in ballast from Pakihis, capsized three miles south of Greymouth. All hands lost. HARRIS, of Greymouth, went ashore per Bruce.
West Coast Times P2 C4 - June 12 1868
All doubts as to the fate of the unfortunate crew of the ketch Louisa is now set at rest by the finding of the bodies. Yesterday afternoon, between half-past three and five o’clock, Messrs ADELAIDE, THOMPSON and ROBINSON were traveling between the Arahura River and the Waimea track and when a short distance from the mouth of the Arahura, they discovered the body of one man, and within a few hundred yards the bodies of the other two – thus completing the number of the crew who were on board the Louisa. Two of the bodies were entirely naked, with the exception of the boots, and the other one nearly so. The bodies were at once taken to Curwen’s Lagoon Hotel, where they await the coroner’s inquest, which will be held to-morrow, the principal witness having to be summoned from Greymouth. It is somewhat remarkable that the bodies should have been washed ashore so far south of where the disaster to the Louisa occurred, and been found within so short a distance of each other, almost at the same time.
West Coast Times - June 15 1868
An inquest was held at Curwen’s Lagoon Hotel on Saturday afternoon last, on the bodies of John CODY, captain and JOYCE and KING, seamen, belonging to the schooner Louisa, wrecked off Greymouth on Tuesday last. The whole of the bodies were picked up on Thursday afternoon, between the hours of three and five o’clock, within a few yards of each other, on the beach near the Arahura, a long way south of where the disaster occurred. After a lengthened investigation, which will be fully reported in another column, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”
West Coast Times P3 1C - June 15 1868
Inquest on the bodies of the crew of the Schooner Louisa
On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held at Curwen’s Lagoon Hotel, Arahura, before Dr BESWICK, coroner for the district on the bodies of John CODY, captain of the schooner Louisa; -- KING, a seaman, belonging to the same; and Matthew Lee JOYCE, a waterman belonging to the same. The bodies were much disfigured. The Louisa was originally a surf boat belonging to Mr Harry MANN, of Charleston, who raised her and converted her into a clinker-built schooner of twenty tons. She was afterwards wrecked when she was purchased by Mr HARRIS, of Greymouth, to whom she belonged at the time of the accident. Boyd THOMPSON deposed -- I am a merchant residing at the Arahura Lagoon. On Thursday afternoon, about three o’clock, I and Mr Stewart ROBINSON went down to the sea beach, and saw the body of a man floating in the surf. After trying for about twenty minutes, we managed to obtain possession of the body. We then came to the Lagoon Hotel, and met a mounted constable, whom we informed of what we had done. The constable told us he was looking for the schooner Louisa. We then searched the body, which was that of CODY, the captain, and found two documents upon him, one was an account for goods supplied, and the other was a certificate of engagement at the rate of £7 per month. The documents now produced were the same. George HADELAY deposed — I am a boatman plying on the Arahura Lagoon. About three o’clock on Thursday afternoon, several parties came to me and asked where they should put a body that had been washed up on the beach. I opened an empty house near the hotel, and the body, that of Cody, was placed there. Shortly afterwards a second body was brought in , and while engaged in laying it down , some person came and said that another body was in sight. I and several more people then went down to the beach and watched a body in the surf for about three-quarters of an hour when a heavy sea washed it ashore. The body was perfectly naked except the boots. The second body picked up was not naked, it had a pair of moleskin trousers and a Guernsey shirt. John HARRIS deposed – I am a merchant and a keeper of the Star Hotel at Greymouth. I am the owner of the schooner Louisa, recently wrecked off Greymouth. About 1 o’clock on Monday afternoon the Louisa left the Buller river, in command of Captain CODY. Before the vessel left Westport, she was surveyed and pronounced seaworthy. I believe Captain LEACH, the Harbor Master, and another gentleman, whom I don’t know, surveyed her. She was surveyed by order of Captain COLSON, the Louisa’s former commander, whom I discharged at Westport in consequence of a disagreement. The vessel was about twenty tons burden. Captain COLSON did not say she was unseaworthy. She underwent certain repairs at a cost of £14, at Westport. I should imagine the Louisa would arrive at Greymouth in about 10 hours after she left the Buller. Before she sailed, I said to Captain CODY, “Is she alright,” and he replied “Yes.” I saw the Louisa cross the Buller Bar in safety. My instructions to Captain CODY before he left were, as soon as he arrived off Greymouth to hoist the Union Jack for the Perservere to come out and tow her in. I afterwards left Westport for Greymouth in the Bruce, when I saw the Louisa out at sea. That was the last I saw of her until she was wrecked. The Louisa was well found in provisions. Joshua MORRIS deposed – I am a master mariner belonging to Greymouth. I know the schooner Louisa, having sailed in her as master for five months. She was a clinker-built vessel, not particularly tight, but did not make an unusual quantity of water when out at sea. She was originally built for a surf boat, and then raised. I first saw her on Tuesday afternoon about two o’clock, anchored in the roadstead at Greymouth. Shortly afterwards she hoisted up her foresail, and made preparations to run for the beach. I said to Mr Wallace WOOLFE, the butcher, who was with me, “We had better go and see if we can render any assistance,” and we both rode down abreast of the Louisa on one horse. She was running on shore at the time, the wind blowing from the N.W. on the Louisa’s port bow. When she got into the breakers there was little or no wind, and she lost steerage way. She then broached to about 150 or 200 yards from the shore, I and Mr WOOLFE being abreast of her at the time. Two of the crew were steering her with a long oar. There might have been somebody at the tiller, but I did not see him The sea struck her on the starboard quarter, when she broached to and capsized. The last I saw of the crew was a man holding on to the masthead after she capsized. I and Mr WOOLFE then went along the beach to see if we could find any traces of the crew, when the hull of the vessel came ashore about 600 yards south of the mouth of the Saltwater Creek. I saw no more of the crew. When the hull came ashore I discharged fourteen kegs of butter. Mr WOOLFE then rode down as far as the Teremakau to see if any of the crew had come ashore but could find nothing of them. The only reason I can assign for the captain attempting to beach the vessel was that he was afraid to stay out all night in her. By juror – I would rather run out to sea than stand in for the land in the Louisa. I would sooner endeavor to ride out a gale in the Louisa with warps than chains. I consider the cause of the vessels capsizing was want of a sufficient number of hands. The coroner having summed up, the jury, after some deliberation, returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”

Wanganui Chronicle 15 Jan 1879
Fatal accident at Kaiwhaiki
On Sunday morning last a half-caste named Paora (Paul) ROBINSON lost his life while bathing in the Wanganui River, in company with some native lads. When nearing the left bank Robinson was noticed to throw up his hands and call out for a canoe; he sank immediately afterwards. The body was recovered yesterday a few chains from the scene of the accident, and we understand that the natives have made arrangements for its interment. A formal inquest will, however, be held at Kennedy's at noon today.
Wanganui Herald: 15 Jan 1879
A native brought information to town last evening that the body of a half-caste man named Paul ROBINSON, who had been drowned on Sunday while bathing, had been recovered a few miles up the river. Dr Tripe the deputy coroner proceeded up to Kennedy's this morning to hold an inquest, but the result had not reached town when we went to Press. There can be little doubt however that the verdict will be one of accidental death.
(He's quite likely the son of James Middleton ROBINSON and Roka HURAKI who were married 29 Sep 1850 at Tukopoto, Taupiri by Rev. Benjamin Yate Ashwell. )

Lyttleton Times: 22 Jun 1880
A melencholy accident by which 2 men names ROWLAND and WALLER happened at Waikerikikeri (now Hickory Bay, Banks Peninsula) on Saturday morning last. It appears that the surf boats used by Mr SINCH in loading his vessels with timber had partly loaded in the E.U Cameron on the day previous. On Saturday morning the first bat reached the vessel safely, but the second boat, manned by the 2 unfortunate men and another names KENCH, was being launched when it hung sometime on the waves shipping a great deeal of water, and before the men could drag it outside of the breakers the boat filled and capsized. WALLER was seen for some time afterwards and appeared to be heading towards Cameron when suddenly he threw up his hands and disappeared. ROWLAND attempted to reach the shore, and battled bravely with the surf for some considerable time but ultimately went down. KENCH clung to the upturned boat and was afterwards rescued by the crew of the other boat. ROWLAND was a native of Wales, and WALLER had been in the district about 2 years. The body of the man WALLER was washed ashore at Waikerikikeri on Sunday morning. An inquest will be held tomorrow.
LYTTLETON TIMES: 25 Jun 1880
The Recent Fatal Accident - One of the unfortunate men who lost his life by the upsetting of a surf boat at Waikerikikeri on the Peninsula, as reported in our issue of June 22, was the son of Mr Robert WALLER of Loburn. Deceased was 23 years of age and was much respected by those with whom he worked.
Edward Corrigill WALLER born 1856 Cramond, MDL, SCT to Robert Clark WALLER and Jean nee CORRIGILL - arrived NZ on the Clontarf March 1860.

A boy named James SCOTT, son of Mr Scott, baker, Cromwell, was drowned at about 5 pm, on the 25th ult., in the Molyneux, near Cromwell bridge. It seems the deceased, in company with three other boys, while catching the driftwood swept down the river which was then in a state of flood, fell into the water, and was almost immediately caught in an eddy and disappeared. Before he sank a Mr Barris endeavoured to catch him and extended a pole to him calling to catch it, but he was unable to do so. Constable Comyn and several neighbours dragged for the body, and looked for it till after dark, but without success. Otago Witness July 9 1870 Page 15 Col.3

HUSBAND AND WIFE DROWNED – TUAPEKA TIMES – 6 JANUARY 1900 p3
William ESKDALE, aged about 40, and his newly wedded wife, nee ARNIT, of Rankleburn, aged 20, were both drowned on Sunday morning while crossing the Pomahaka River. Two witnesses to the accident warned Eskdale not to attempt crossing, as the river was in flood, but he made the attempt. On finding how deep the water was he tried to return to the bank but failed. Eskdale jumped out of his buggy into the river, but could not succeed in getting the horse round. Mrs ESKDALE either jumped or fell into the river and was never seen again. The river would have been negotiated in all probability if the horse had not been fagged by its long journey that morning. There was only a fresh in the river, and when ESKDALE jumped out at no part was the water above his waist. The horse got his head down by some means, and was drowned, but the buggy remained in an upright position, and had Mrs ESKDALE kept her seat the tragedy would not have taken place. ESKDALE, who could not swim, called out to the two men on the other side of the side of the river to go to his assistance, but they too could not swim. He then paddled across stream, touching bottom all the way, until within a few feet of a witness. He then seemed to stumble over an obstruction – a boulder most likely – and the current took him down stream. The witnesses of the disaster, two settlers living in the vicinity, followed ESKDALE, but did not succeed in getting him out until life was extinct. Mr ESKDALE’s history since he became connected with the Rankleburn country is a sad one (says the “Tapanui Courier”). On first taking up the Deloraine estate, he went there to reside with a young wife, but in little more than a year she died, and af ter living alone for some time the deceased (in company with his brother James) acquired Inglebank farm from the executors of the late R T ELLIOT. The residence was renovated and the place put in good order, Mr William ESKDALE again marrying only some few months ago. Comfortably settled in life, and with a fine farm to occupy his attention, the deceased would appear to have found a permanent spot. Yet the locality of his first severe reverse again claims not only his helpmeet but himself as well.

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