THE FATAL ACCIDENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 712, 7 January 1903, Page 3

THE FATAL ACCIDENT.

There was a large attendance at the funeral of the lad Hugh Hoeney yesterday, there being many marks of sympathy shown for tho parents. Tho service was conducted by the Eev. Father Mulvihill, THE INQUEST.

Yesterday an inquest was hold in th° British Empire Hotel before Mr GStubby, J.P., and the following jury Messrs C. F. Lewis, C. Adair, T, Morrison, F. Harris, W. Hoaney, and C. H. Ambridge (foreman). Detective Nixon and Constable Crawford represented tho police. Hugh Heeney, residing at Herbert street, Gisborne, stated deceased was his son, aged 13. He last saw him alive at dinner time on the sth.

John Thomas Griffin, Whataupoko, stated he saw deceased the previous day at 3.30, alone. Half or three-quarters of an hour later witness’ son James came and said deceased was drowned below the bridge. Witness went about twelve chains, and found Mr McCliskie trying to get the body. Witness jumped in and recovered the body, which appeared to be quite dead. Artificial respiration and other means were used to restore life. Deceased was naked, and there were no marks of vio ,n nce.

John Heeney, aged 9, stated he wont over to Griffin’s about 1 o’clock with his three brothers. They met the two Griffin buys and went to the creek for a swim. Jim Griffin showed Hugh the deep place, and told him net to go there. Witness could swim, but Hugh could not. Hugh went into the doep place. Jim Griffin told him to oome back, but Hugh walked out further. Witness went out and caught Hugh’s hand. Hugh pulled witness in, but then let go of him, and witness swam back. No one tried to hold deceased after that, hut Jim Griffin went and told a man who was ploughing (Mr McCliskie). Witness stated he taught hjmself to swim.

James Griffin, 10 years of age, son of John Griffin, stated he left home with Hugh Heeney at 25 minutes to four There were five boys at the waterhole, Hugh, John, Arthur, and Frank Heeney, and George Griffin. They all went in for a swim. Witness ceuld not swim, and told Hugh Heeney not to go out too far, aB there was a deep hole there, and he eould not swim. Hugh got into the hole, and John Heeney tried to pull him out. Witness ran and told Mr McClißkie, who was about two chains away. Witness then went and told his father, who got the body out. John Heeney was the only one who could swim, and the other boys were all younger than Hugh. They often wont there to swim. The hole was as wide as the room. Witness could not swim, and had no one to teach him. Mr McCliskie, when he came, poked about in the hole with a pole to find the body. Constable Crawford gave evidence as to removing the body of deceased to tho morgue. In reply to a juryman, Detectivo Nixon stated that Mr McCliskio could not swim. Mr Griffin, in reply to a question, stated that the depth of the hole would be about 10 feet. The jury brought In the following verdict :—“ They aro of opinion that the lad Hugh Heeney met his death by accidental drowning, and the jury further wish to oxpress their approval of the plucky action of tbo little lad John Heeney, about 9 years of age, in attempting to save the life of his brother ; and, further, the jury deplore the fact that there are no '.icilities offered for the teaching of swimming at schools, particularly the necessity of public baths, where a competent person could easily be found to teach the art of swimming.” ■