A very sad accident occurred at Clydevale ferry on Friday last by which Mr William Moir, storekeeper, lost his life. Mr Moir had charge of the ferry and at half past two o'clock that afternoon he took two mon across from the Clydevale side to the Greenfield side in the punt. Mr Moir then proceeded to recross to Clydevale and when the punt was about 50 yards on its journey the pair happened to look round and saw Mr Moir in the river. They cooeyed to call the attention of those on the Clydevale side where the boat was but before assistance could be given Mr Moir had sank and was not afterwards seen, nor has the body been yet found although steps were at once taken by dragging and I otherwise to recover it. Mr Moir was a native of Stirlingshire, Scotland, and arrived in the colony about 50 years ago. For some years he was employed about the homestead at Clydevale and subsequently commenced business as storekeeper there at first in a small way but in his hands the business gradually increased to a pretty large and remunerative one. As has been said, Mr Moir had also charge of the ferry and in working it he was always very careful. Although no one actually saw the accident there can be no doubt he in some way missed his footing and slipped into the river. Mr Moir was a good hearted man, always ready to oblige people in every way possible, was a general favourite with all classes of the community and his sudden death is very much and widely regretted. He was unmarried and as far as we are aware has no relatives in this colony. He has a brother a timber merchant in Queensland and another brother a doctor in practice in Edinburgh. -Clutha Leader, 16/11/1894.
The body of William Moir, late puntman of Clydevale Ferry, was found floating in the Clutha River late yesterday afternoon, ten miles from Balclutha, to which place the body was afterwards removed, to await the coroner's inquest. -Evening Star, 27/11/1894.
THE CLYPEVALE FERRY ACCIDENT.
An inquest into the death of William Moir was held on Tuesday last at the courthouse, Balclutha, by Mr Fleming and a jury of six, of whom Mr Hutchins was chosen foreman.
The jury having been sworn and the other preliminaries observed, the following evidence was led: —
James Copland, ploughman, at Hillend station, said that on the afternoon of Friday 9th inst. he and John Skinner arrived at Clydevale ferry in the afternoon. They found Moir in his store, and he put them- across in the punt. They walked away, and Moir proceeded to return with the punt to the Clydevale side. They happened to look back in about five minutes, when they saw Moir in the river about a chain and a half below the punt, the latter being then about two chains from the Greenfield side. Moir did not speak or call out, but floated down for about 10 chain with the current when he sank, and was not again seen. He apparently tried to swim but could not do so; he only seemed to struggle against the current, and with his hands above water. Copland and Skinner cooeyed for assistance, but as there were no people there it was about 10 minutes before assistance arrived. Two men then came with a boat, and were directed to the spot where Moir had sunk, but could see nothing of him. Moir was a strong man, apparently in good health, and everything right about him — was cheerful and in good spirits. The punt went across quite smoothly, and Moir worked it easily. Witness believed that deceased had overbalanced himself and fallen into the river.
John Skinner, rabbiter, at Greenfield, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. Moir had frequently crossed witness with the punt. Deceased was in the habit of sitting on the rail of the punt when crossing, and did so on the 9th, and in this position might readily have overbalanced himself and fallen over.
James E. Mitchell, manager Clydevale station, said the deceased had had charge of the punt for 25 years. He was thoroughly capable of working the punt, had the character of being a very careful, cautious man, had crossed the punt at all hours of night and day, and never previously had an accident. Deceased, who was unmarried, was a native of Stirlingshire, Scotland, and was about 61 years of age.
Captain Butler, of the steamer Matau, identified the body on view as that of the late William Moir, storekeeper and puntman, Clydevale ferry. Constable Christie was informed the previous afternoon by Mr Moore, farmer, Manuka Island Station, that he had seen a body in the river. Witness proceeded to the spot and found the body in the river behind a rock, which prevented it from floating away with the current. He took possession of the body and had it removed to Balclutha. There were no marks on the body which he recognised as that of the deceased, William Moir, of Clydevale ferry. This concluded the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of accidental drowning. -Clutha Leader, 30/11/1894.
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