TWO LADS DROWNED.
(From Our Own Correspondent.) Ophir, December 31.
Two lads aged respectively 11 and 14, sons of Mr G. Backer, blacksmith, Ida Valley, were drowned in a dam near Ida Valley station last night, between 7 and 9 o'olook. The lads were employed by Mr Denniston in the shearing shed. After having tea they went for a bathe by themselves, and not returning a search was instituted, and their clothing found on the edge of the dam. The shearers at the station constructed rafts, and dragged for the bodies, which they recovered at 9 this morning. An inquest will be held. At the inquest held on the two lads drowned at Ida Valley, the jury returned the following verdict: — "That the deceased, Carl Ernest Becker and Frank August Becker, met their deaths by accidental drowning in the Ida Valley station dam on the 31st December, between 7 and 10 p.m." -Otago Witness, 9/1/1896.
Inquest
An inquest was held before Thomas F. Denniston, Esq. (acting coroner) on the 3lst December, at Ida Valley, on the bodies of Carl E. Becker and Frank A. Becker, and the following jury were empannelled: Messrs Frank Davis (foreman), James J. Bewley, Hugh Sinnamon, John Patterson, Angus Cochrane, and Robert Rutherford.
George Becker, blacksmith, Ida Valley, gave evidence that the deceased Carl Ernest Becker and Frank August Becker were his sons. They were born in Ida Valley, and were aged respectively 14 and 11 years. They were working at Ida Valley station during shearing season. They were unable to swim, and he had particularly warned them not to go near the station dam. They were not subject to fits.
John McKay, cow-boy, employed at Ida Valley station, stated that be and several others were having a bathe in the station dam, and were coming away about 7 p.m. on the 30th inst. when they met the two deceased going to the dam. He asked them if they were going for a bathe, and they replied they were going rabbiting, and he thought so as they had their dog with them. He went to the other side of the dam to get some rabbits with young Reynolds, and soon afterwards saw the deceased paddling about in the water. They were alright, and Reynolds and he left a quarter of an hour after first seeing them. They were stripped, when in the dam. At 9 p.m., when they did not arrive at the station, he stated where he had seen them last, and an alarm was given.
John Davidson, employed at Ida Valley Station, stated that after the alarm was given he with two others went to the dam and saw a heap of clothes on the side of the dam, with the deceased's dog guarding them. The dog ran up towards the upper part of the dam, and looked over. The shearer, who could swim, made efforts by swimming and diving to recover the bodies, but they did not succeed, as it was dark and the dam was very large. They all retired to make another effort next morning.
William Phillip stated that he was a shearer employed at Ida Valley Station. On the previous night (the 30th December) he assisted to recover the bodies, but as it was getting dark they retired till daylight. On the following morning (the 31st), he and John McLean were on a raft making a search for the bodies, and noticing the peculiarities of ihe dog in continua ly leaving the clothes and goinu to the upper end of the dam, they thought it practicable to look for the bodies in the same direction. After searching for a while they saw the bodies in the clear water, almost opposite to the place indicated by the dog. There would be about six feet of water over the bodies, which were about two feet apart. It was 9 a. m. when the bodies were recovered, search having begun at 4 a.m. The dam would have an area of about four acres, and from what he saw off the raft it was full of deep holes. From his experiences as a swimmer, he would consider it dangerous for any person unable to swim to go into the dam.
Constable Leece evidence to the effect that he had seen bodies, which were naked, taken out of the water. He examined them and found no marks of violence on them. He took charge of them and gave notice to tbe coroner. The jury, after a few minutes deliberation, returned the following verdict: — That Carl Ernest Becker and Frank August Becker met their deaths by accidental drowning in the Ida Valley Station dam on the evening of the 3Uth December, 1895, between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m.
Our Blacks correspondent says: In this sad case of drowning too much praise can not be bestowed upon the shearers — William Law, Seymour, Henry Graves, John McLean, and William Phillips —who took an active part in recovering the bodies by means of the rafts and swimming and diving about, and also a number of others who assisted them in constructing the rafts. Deep sympathy was felt for the aged father, who was on the scene when the bodies were recovered. I hear that the shearers have shown their sympathy in a more tangible form by handing the father a handsome sum. -Dunstan Times, 10/1/1896.
DEATHS.
BECKER. — On the 7th April, at his residence, Ida Valley (after a long and painful illness), Godfred Join, beloved husband of Emily Becker; aged 65 years. Deeply regretted. -Otago Witness, 20/4/1904.
TWO INQUESTS
Mr Coroner Graham, held two inquests at the Morgue this afternoon. The first inquiry was into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ida Catherine Becker, aged 20 years, who died suddenly at the Upper Junction on Sunday afternoon. Dr Fitchett, who made a post mortem examination of the body, said that he found that the valves of the heart were diseased, and that there was the beginning of inflammation at the base of the right king. The other organs were normal, except that they were affected by the state of the heart. He gave it as his opinion that death was due to heart failure induced by influenza. Robert Eady, dairy farmer, said that deceased was his sister-in-law, and was staying at his place for a holiday. She came from Ida Valley, where her mother lived. She was in splendid health until 10 days before her death. She complained of a cold, and went to bed for a day. After that she said that she felt fine, and wanted to go back to her situation at Ida Valley. She stopped in bed last Saturday, but got up on Sunday morning, when she said she felt faint. Witness’s wife was away getting her a stimulant, when she fell in a faint. She came to, and was then put to bed. She had several fainting fits, and complained of a pain under the heart. Witness went for the doctor, and while he was away she died. The Coroner returned a verdict, in accordance with the medical testimony. -Evening Star, 1/7/1913.
Moa Creek Cemetery.
IDA VALLEY NOTES.
(Own Correspondent). July 4. We have had very foggy, frosty weather of late, culminating in a heavy downpour of rain on Tuesday night last, which has made things very sloppy indeed. Stock are keeping in good condition and feed lasting out well.
Quite a gloom lies over the Valley owing to the very sudden death of Miss Ida Becker, a native of the Valley, who was for a considerable time housemaid at Ida Valley Station. It appears she went away to Dunedin for a few days holiday. She was suffering from a slight cold at the time, from which it seems she got better. She went out on a visit to her sister's place at Upper Junction, prior to coming home, which she contemplated doing in a day or two, when she took a sudden bad attack on the Sunday night. Being some distance from a doctor it was some time before medical aid was procured, and when the doctor did arrive she was dead. I understand an inquest was held, when the verdict was "died from influenza," which went to her heart, causing almost sudden death. The remains were brought up to Ida Valley for interment, and were buried yesterday in the Ida Valley cemetery. There was a very large funeral despite the unpleasant day. Much sympathy is felt for the mother in her loss, as deceased was a bright handsome lively girl, in fact a credit to the Valley. I am sorry to say that her sister (Mrs Edie) has been taken ill after the funeral and the doctor had to be called in. I have not heard any further news of her.
Although death has been amongst us things just go on, — the usual buying and selling. It is reported that Mr Percy Naylor has disposed of his grazing run to a buyer from Kokonga; also that Mr Fraser of Blackstone Hill has disposed of his grazing run to a buyer from Hawea. We are to have improvements at the Auripo siding, so that we can truck sheep from there. I think people are too well off and don't know what to ask for.
I notice in your last issue the death of Mr David McConnochie, - another old landmark gone. I may say I have been intimate with him for the last 45 years. The number of old pioneers is rapidly decreasing, and only a few of the real old hands are left. -Alexandra Herald, 9/7/1913.
IN MEMORIAM.
BECKER. — In loving memory of Ida Catherine, beloved daughter of Emily Becker, who died on June 29, 1913.
“ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Inserted by her loved ones. -Otago Witness, 1/7/1914.
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