Samuel Johnston, 1867-16/3/1887. "accidentally drowned"

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.)' Auckland, March 18. 

Hokitika, March 13. A young man named Samuel Johnston left his home at Kokatahi on Wednesday morning for a day’s shooting, and has not since been seen or heard of. A fatal accident is feared.  -NZ Times, 19/3/1887.

The body of Samuel Johnston, who was lost at Hokitika a fortnight ago, was thrown up on the beach there yesterday.  -Evening Star, 6/4/1887.

INQUEST.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Mr J. Hudson's Cleveland Hotel on the body of Samuel Johnston, who was recently lost at the Kokatahi, and whose body was discovered on the north beach yesterday morning. The jury consisted of Messrs Charles Smith, Thomas Jones, J. Eyan, Hosvat. W. Pengelly, and J. Johnson, Mr Pengelly being chosen foreman.

After the jury had viewed the body the police called

Hugh Johnston, who said — I live at the Kokatahi; I have seen the body of deceased; recognise it as that of my son, Samuel Johnston; saw him last on Wednesday, 16th March; I was going to town then; my wife told me when I returned he had gone out with his gun shooting; never saw him again alive. Large search parties were out looking for him; the only traces of him were some tracks from the Island to a ford in the river below the junction. My son was 19 years of age last July.

Harry Mason, farmer, Woodstock, was working on the farm on Wednesday, 16th March; I was in a canoe going towards Eel Creek when I saw a man walking towards the ford. That was about ten o'clock; I know the ford, which contains quick-sand in places, and is only safe when the river is low.

Robert Whale, chair caner, Hokitika, said — I was on the sea beach this morning at six o'clock; saw the body in the breakers and gave information to the police.

Constable Foley — Was called to the beach by last witness; found the body among some driftwood; examined it and found no other signs of violence than that inflicted by pieces of timber, against which it had drifted. Removed the body to a cottage, and on searching it found the knife produced.

This concluded the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of "accidentally drowned."  -West Coast Times, 6/4/1887.

Hokitika Cemetery.