Margaret Christie, (1878-17/10/1895). "a black ball of thread"

 The Inspector of Police yesterday received a telegram firm Constable Herlihy stating that Margaret Christie, a girl 18 years of age, had left her father's house at Waikaia at 4 p.m. on Thursday to bring home some cows to milk from a paddock on the banks of the Waikaia river. The girl was knitting on her way for the cows, but had not returned since, and no trace could be found of her, except that at about 5 o'clock some children saw a stocking, a black ball of thread, and a knitting needle floating down the river. The constable and 15 others had searched the district without success, and were at the time of the telegram being sent dragging the river, in the expectation of finding the girl's body.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/10/1895.

Inquest at Waikaia.

An inquest was held before Mr Thomas Taylor, J.P., (acting coroner) and a jury, of which Mr C. Robertson was chosen foreman, at Waikaia on Saturday, touching the death by drowning of Margaret Christie. 

James McLean gave evidence as to finding the body of the deceased about half-past eight that morning, lying face downwards in the river about three miles below the Waikaia bridge. He took the body out of the water, and conveyed it to the house of the deceased's parents. 

Alex. F. Clark gave similar evidence. 

Alexander Christie, father of the deceased, stated that his daughter was 18 years of age, and was in her usual health on the Thursday afternoon. She was in the habit of walking down the river to fetch the cows. The paddock where the cows were kept was about four miles above the bridge. Saw cattle tracks near the edge of the river next morning. The banks are very dangerous, being undermined by the action of the water. 

Constable Herlihy gave evidence as to the deceased's disappearance on Thursday night. Organised a search party, and upon hearing that some knitting which the deceased had had was seen floating down the river, prepared ropes, etc, and dragged the river until 7 p.m. on Friday. The operation was continued the following morning, when the body was discovered by James McLean. There were no marks of violence upon the body. 

Sophia Tretheway deposed as to examining the body and finding no marks of violence.

Donald Moffit stated that he had last seen deceased alive at 4 p.m. on Thursday, when she told him she was going for the cows. 

The jury returned a verdict of "accidental drowning."  -Mataura Ensign, 22/10/1895.

Waikaia Cemetery. Photo from "fidagrave."