ANGLER DROWNED.
WELL-KNOWN FARMER.
DUNEDIN, Monday.
A well-known farmer. Mr. James Smith, of Barn ego, near Balclutha, was drowned while trout fishing in the Pomahaka Stream yesterday. He was with a party of anglers at first, but became separated from his companions, and when he did not arrive at the appointed meeting place in the evening fears were entertained for his safety. Search parties were organised and this afternoon the missing man's rod and line were found. Dragging operations were commenced, and his body was later recovered in about 20ft of water. -Auckland Star, 10/12/1929.
BARNEGO FARMER DROWNED.
BODY LATER RECOVERED.
TRAGIC END TO FISHING EXPEDITION.
BALCLUTHA, December 9.
Mr James Smith, a well-known farmer, of Barnego, near Balclutha, was drowned in the Pomahaka River yesterday afternoon. The body was found about 4.45 p.m. yesterday in about 28 feet of water, four miles from the mouth of the Pomahaka River, where it joins the Molyneux. The deceased’s fishing rod was found in the Pomahaka River about 12.30 p.m. When the body was recovered it was found that the deceased’s watch had stopped at 4.7 p.m.
Mr Smith left with a party for the Pomahaka River yesterday morning on a trout fishing expedition, and failed to return to the rendezvous fixed for the evening, and the remainder of the party was forced to return to Balclutha without him. The motor car in which the trip was made belonged to Mr Smith, and the others delayed their departure from the river bank until after dark, and it was long after midnight before they reached home. A search party left about 3 a.m., and another later, the latter taking the precaution to tow a boat on a trailer behind the car.
Mr Smith was 65 years of age, and was one of the original settlers on the Barnego estate when it was subdivided by the Government some 30 years ago. He was well known as a keen angler and sportsman, and for some years had devoted most of his leisure time to fishing and shooting. He was a first class swimmer.
Mr Wilkinson, a member of the fishing party, states that he was fishing up-stream with Mr Smith in the vicinity of the lower Clydevale bridge. They separated at an island. Mr Wilkinson went further up stream than his companion, and, returning some time later, did not see Mr Smith, but thought he had gone back to the camp. Mr Smith was last seen at the island about 4 p.m. by Mr J. McKenzie, a Clydevale resident. Mr Smith was a widower, and leaves a family of four sons and two daughters.
INQUEST AT BALCLUTHA.
VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DROWNING.
BALCLUTHA, December 10.
An inquiry touching the cause of death of James Smith, aged 65, a well-known Barnego settler, who was drowned while fishing in the Pomahaka River on Sunday, was held at the courthouse, Balclutha, on Tuesday, before Mr G. W. Wood, J.P.. acting-coroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs C. J. Wood (foreman), Alexander Rattray, Thomas Bell, and James Wright.
After lengthy evidence had been given, the acting-coroner said he was quite satisfied that it had been a purely accidental occurrence. He considered the fact that the deceased was wearing long waders had a lot to do with his death. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death by drowning, and the foreman expressed sympathy with the relatives, as did the acting-coroner. -Otago Witness, 17/12/1929.
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