KAKANUI RIVER FATALITY
INQUEST ON THE VICTIM.
ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED.
The formal inquiry into the pathetic circumstances attending the death of Trooper Frederick George Kelly, the victim of the bathing fatality in the Kakanui river on Wednesday, was held yesterday afternoon at the residence of Mr F. Kelly, Queen's Flat, Ngapara.
Mr Walter E. Searle presided as acting coroner and the following six gentlemen comprised the jury:—Messrs Norman Lory (Windsor), Harry Davis (Windsor), John Howard (Windsor), Edward Stokes (Windsor), foreman, Donald Fleming (Windsor), and Andrew Halcrow (Ngapara).
Frederick Kelly, farmer, Queen's Flat, father of deceased, was the first witness called. He said that his son was 20 years of age and a trooper in the Eleventh Reinforcements, home on final leave. On the 15th of March he and his son and some friends were at Maruakoa and during the day some of the party, including his son and himself, went for a bathe in the Kakanui. His son could not swim. Witness swam about for a time and as it was some considerable time since he had been swimming before, he was easily tired and made for the shore for a rest. Just as he reached the bank Mr H Addison called out to him, "Fred's drowning." Witness immediately plunged in again and reaching his son as he was sinking for the third time, clutched at his hair, but owing to its extreme shortness he lost his hold and as his son was sinking, he secured a grip on the shoulder band of his bathing suit. Witness struck for the land but the weight of deceased's body was presumably too heavy and the suit gave way and his son sank. Witness was very exhausted and with difficulty reached the shore. Mr Addison, who was on the point of entering the water at the time, dived twice but was not able to recover the body, which lay in approximately ten feet of/ water. Two other gentlemen had by this time arrived on the scene and made unavailing efforts to bring deceased to the surface. A rope was then procured and extended across the pool and Mr Cowie went out and brought the deceased to shore by means of a rake. They applied means for resuscitation for about an hour, but when the doctor arrived he pronounced life extinct. The body was conveyed home and the police notified. The river bottom at the place where the accident occurred was a very bad one, the rocks being slimy, and shelving off abruptly into deep water. Foothold was difficult. It was the opinion of witness that his son had lost his foothold by slipping on the rocks and had fallen into the pool.
Henry Thomas Addison, farmer, Windsor, said he and Mr Kelly and his son, and others had decided to bathe in the Kakanui. Witness did not enter the water with the rest as he had some difficulty in attending to a defect in his bathing suit. Deceased had been in the water for some time and was splashing about. Witness was just about ready to go into the water when deceased called out "Help!" Witness called to Mr Kelly, senr., and said, "Look, Fred!" The father went to his son's assistance immediately and witness also went out. Witness was not a very good swimmer. When the father failed to secure his son, and his own efforts in that direction proving abortive, he sent for a rope by which his horse was tethered, distant some 100 yards. Passing one end round his body and friends holding the other end he endeavoured unsuccessfully to get the body. By this time others had arrived and a rope was extended across the river and the body recovered from the water. It was witness's opinion that the body had been submerged for about three-quarters of an hour. Mr Beckingsale, who lived in the vicinity, rendered first aid, with the valuable assistance of bystanders. All efforts were unavailing and witness had the body placed in his cart and conveyed to deceased's home. Witness said that the father of deceased had done his utmost to save his son.
Samuel Holmes, Queen's Flat, said he was with Mr Kelly and his son and party at Kakanui on Wednesday. He had made preparations for boiling a "billy'' and was taking off his coat to go in for a swim, when he noticed the deceased splashing about and evidently in difficulties. Witness was sent for a rope, and having procured this was sent to Maruakoa Bureau to telephone for a doctor. In his estimation Dr Scott, of Oamaru, arrived on the scene about two hours after the accident happened. Witness saw the body brought to the bank and measures for resuscitation applied. A verdict was returned that the deceased came to his death by accidental drowning in the Kakanui river on March 15th, and that every possible means at hand were resorted to to save deceased. -North Otago Times, 17/3/1916.
A SOLDIER'S BURIAL
THE LATE TROOPER KELLY, ACCORDED FULL MILITARY HONOURS.
The remains of the late Trooper Frederick George Kelly who lost his life in the bathing fatally in the Kakanui river on Wednesday last, were interred with full military honours at the Oamaru Cemetery yesterday morning.
The body of the late trooper arrived at Oamaru by the 10.30 a.m. train. The white coffin, wrapped in the Union Jack, with numerous wreaths, and the deceased soldier's military cap over all, was transferred to the waiting guncarriage at the station entrance, the six pall-bearers being returned men and men of the reinforcements. The cortege, which was a lengthy one, was headed by the Tenth Regiment Band under Bandmaster Fox, and the "Dead March" played at frequent intervals on the way to the cemetery made the occasion an impressive one. As a testimony to the popularity of the departed soldier a large 'number of friends and residents of the surrounding districts followed the coffin. The route was lined with people, and business in Thames street, was suspended whilst the cortege passed and flags were displayed on various buildings.
Chaplain-Major J. D. Russell conducted the service at the graveside. A squad drawn from A Company, Tenth (North Otago) Regiment formed the firing-party and a bugler sounded the "Last Post"
His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. H. Frith) represented the townspeople, and (Captain Redmond, N.Z.S.C., the local Defence Office. Other officers on parade were Major Forrester (Officer commanding Tenth Regiment), Lieutenant Foote (Railway Engineers), Lieutenant B. Meek (Fifth Mounted Rides), Lieutenant Preston (Eleventh Reinforcements), and Lieutenant Roberts (Tenth Regiment). A company of cadets from the Waitaki Boys' High School, in charge of Lieutenant Anderson, also attended. -North Otago Times, 18/3/1916.
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