Death, of Mr H. J. Cannon.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 299, 16 May 1889, Page 2

Death, of Mr H. J. Cannon.

DROWNED WHILE CROSSING A RIVER Tologa Bay, yesterday.

Mr H. J. Cannon, son of Mr Cannon, Gisborne, was drowned on Tuesday, while swimming his horse across a river, inland,

The following telegram was received by Sergeant Bullen last night

“ The mailman reports that Heury James Cannon was accidentally drowned while crossing the river Mata, on horseback, twelve miles inland of Waipiro. The accident occurred on Tuesday, the 14th instant. The body has been recovered and is being brought to Waipiro. One witness saw the accident.”

The sad news will be the cause of much regret in Gisborne, and along the Coast. The unfortunate young man was the eldest son of Mr Cannon ; he was about 23 years of age, and nearly all his lifetime was spent in Gisborne or on the Coast. He was a steady, upright young man, esteemed by all who knew him. For some time past he was manager of Mr G. White’s Tawhiti Hotel, at Waipiro, and he will be remembered as one of those who gave the strongest evidence against Haira te Peri, murderer of the Pook family. He intended taking over the hotel which he was managing, and he had made application, for a transfer of license at the forthcoming sitting of the Court. He was very popular along the Coast both with Europeans and natives, and he was making good progress in business. He was in the full bloom of health, and was always of a generous and sunny temperament. Much sympathy will be felt with the deceased’s relations and numerous friends. The corpse will be brought to G sborne for interment.

The Mata River runs through Mr W. F. Somerville’s property, and it is thought the deceased was proceeding to the station on business when the sad occurrence took place.