Inquest verdict and findings




12

the boat, as in a few minutes more it appeared that we should be again amongst the breakers.

The jury having consulted together for a short time, agreed upon the following verdict, viz.:—

"We the undersigned, jurors, do hereby find that James Fowler and John McCulloch were accidentally drowned while attempting to cross the Buller bar into the river by a boat, and we recommend that to prevent similar accidents, a code of signals and a whale boat be established here; at the same time we express our opinion that no blame can be attached to the master of the steamer, or to any one else concerned.

J. B. Martin, Foreman,
Andrew Preston,
Joseph Ferguson,
Frank Crossling,
Isaac Waylan,
William Murrell,
William Beattie,
Thos. W. McKenzie,
Joseph Williams,
Thomas King
R. G. Saunders.

Printed under the authority of the Provincial Government of Nelson, by R. LUCAS, Bridge-street, Nelson,
Official Printer for the time being to the said Government.




Online Sources for this page:

PDF PDF Nelson Provincial Gazette 1865, No 3





✨ LLM interpretation of page content

⚖️ Inquest into the drowning of passengers from the steamer Wallaby (continued from previous page)

⚖️ Justice & Law Enforcement
29 January 1865
Inquest, Buller River, Drowning, Steamer Wallaby, Accidental death, Nelson, Jury verdict
13 names identified
  • James Fowler, Accidentally drowned
  • John McCulloch, Accidentally drowned
  • J. B. Martin, Foreman of the jury
  • Andrew Preston, Juror
  • Joseph Ferguson, Juror
  • Frank Crossling, Juror
  • Isaac Waylan, Juror
  • William Murrell, Juror
  • William Beattie, Juror
  • Thos. W. McKenzie, Juror
  • Joseph Williams, Juror
  • Thomas King, Juror
  • R. G. Saunders, Juror