Charles MacArthur, 1849-10/3/1902.

DROWNING ACCIDENT.

FATALITY AT WAIKAIA. 

(From our Own Correspondent). Much regret was felt in our midst on Monday when the news reached us that Mr Chas. Macarthur had been found dead in the tail ditch of his claim at Winding Creek. He has, with very short intermissions, been a resident of the district since 1866, and was universally respected. During the whole of that time he followed the occupation of a miner, and probably there was not a more practical man of his profession amongst us. Inclined to be somewhat venturesome, he had several narrow escapes from death from earth falls and subsidence of tunnels, and it came as a great shock to us all when the miserable manner in which death overtook him became known. Much sympathy is felt for his old mates (Messrs Kennedy and Mears). So strong was this feeling of comradeship between them, that it amounted to something well nigh akin to brotherhood. For over 40 years Mr Kennedy and deceased had been mates. Starting as young lads they followed the diggings in Victoria and here, and during all that time bad been very little separated. Such tics are hard to break, and Mr Kennedy's bereavement is falling heavily upon bim. Deceased was 53 years of age and single. His funeral takes place today (Thursday), and will no doubt be largely attended. 

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held on Tuesday, at the residence of Mr Thornton, Winding Creek, Waikaia, on the body of the deceased. Mr T. Taylor was acting coroner, and Messrs B. Stewart (foreman), Arch. Kennedy, G. McKechnie, P. Delargey, H. Wilkie, and J. Milne constituted the jury. After viewing the body the jury repaired to deceased's claim in order to examine the locality and ascertain, if possible, the manner in which he met his death. They then returned to Mr Thornton's house, when evidence was taken.

Robert Cairns deposed that from information received from some young children in the neighborhood that Chas. Macarthur was lying in the ditch, he, in company with Mr Thornton, at once proceeded to the claim. When about half way down the tail ditch he found deceased jammed in a sitting position. The presence of the body had dammed the water, which was "lipping" over his forehead. With Mr Thornton's assistance he lifted the body on to the bank. Life was quite extinct when he found the body. In answer to questions, the witness said that he had known deceased for four years, and had last seen him alive on Sunday evening, when he appeared to be in his usual health. 

John Thornton deposed that he had known deceased for 35 years, and that he last saw him alive on Sunday evening. Had gone with previous witness to deceased's claim on the evening of the 11th, and had found deceased dead in the ditch. On getting deceased to the bank had tried all means to resuscitate him, but without avail. The face and hands of deceased were very much bruised, caused in witness' opinion by contact with stones in the ditch when being washed down it. Had known deceased to have had at least one convulsive fit during last winter. That though not too ill to work, deceased had been in failing health for some time. There would be about four heads of water in the ditch, which was about 2 1/2ft wide at the place where the body was found, and deceased in his usual health and senses would have had no difficulty in getting out of the position in which he was found. Had no doubt but that deceased had been seized with a fit and fell into the ditch, down which the stream of water carried him.

After some discussion as to the necessity of a post mortem examination, the jury decided to adjourn the inquest until 10 p.m. to allow Dr Copland, who was coming from Gore, to examine the body. When the jury again met Dr Copland gave evidence that he had held a post mortem on the body of deceased, and found the heart and lungs very much diseased; so much so as to induce his belief that the deceased had had a fit, which caused asphyxia or suffocation. He attributed the death to natural causes. The jury without adjourning brought in a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.  -Mataura Ensign, 13/3/1902.

Waikaia Cemetery.