Patrick Jamieson, 1840-24/10/1887. "immediately unseated"

A sad case of drowning occurred in the Mahinapua Creek yesterday morning at about five o’clock, whereby Mr Patrick Jamieson, of Waitangi, lost his life. The Times narrates: — “Deceased, in company with Mr Scelly, a mate of his, was bringing a mob of cattle from the Wataroa. They reached the Hospital Creek at about half-past 12 o’clock on Sunday night, and at 5 o’clock yesterday morning prepared to swim the bullocks across the creek. Mr Scelly recommended deceased to swim the horses and cross by the bridge, but unfortunately without success, for Jamieson forced his horse into the water and was immediately unseated, as the animal suddenly plunged into deep water. Whilst Scelly went to the pack horse to procure a rope to throw to the struggling man, who was clad in heavy oilskins, the latter must have sunk, as, on returning, he was no longer visible. Scelly immediately procured the assistance of Messrs Galloway and Duncan, who by means of a boat hook, ultimately succeeded in recovering the body, which was yet warm. Mr Duncan, who appears to have acted throughout with a promptitude which must have been the result of considerable experience, at once attempted to restore animation, first of all proceeding to drain the water from the lungs of the deceased by holding him head downwards over the thwart of the boat, and afterwards by long continued rubbing and application of heat to the extremities. Unfortunately the well-timed endeavours were fruitless. Deceased’s death will be deplored by all who knew him, as he was not merely a settler of long standing in Waitangi, but a man of sterling qualities, and highly respected by everyone with whom he came in contact.” At the inquest, held at McGoldrick’s Hotel, Hokitika, yesterday afternoon, before Coroner Giles and a jury of six, the jury returned a verdict of accidental drowning, adding a rider to the effect that the attention of the proper authorities should be called to the state of the Hospital Creek bridge, as in its present dilapidated state it was a source of danger.   -Kumara Times, 24/10/1887.

Hokitika Cemetery.