On Monday, Dr King, coroner for Mudgee district, held an inquest at Biragambil, the estate of Mr. George Rouse, J.P., on view of the body of Mr. Charles Hassall, lying dead there. George Rouse, being duly sworn, stated that, on Sunday afternoon, about half past four o'clock, the deceased, himself, and family were walking on the banks of the Cudgegong river, near his residence, when Mr. Hassall observed that there were two or three persons on the opposite side of the river, and said he would fetch them over in a canoe. Having crossed the river, Tim (a Chinaman) and Cornelius Ward got into the canoe, which, as it was proceeding across, was partly turned over by the strength of the current, causing the three men to fall into the water. Tim immediately caught hold of Mr. Hassall, and both sunk. He (Mr. Rouse) ran down to the river to save them, but was unable. Mr. Hassall's body was recovered about one hour after the accident. James Bennett Moore corroborated the foregoing evidence, adding that when he saw all three in the water, Mr Hassall appeared to be endeavouring to assist the Chinaman. Witness ran to the river and jumped in, but was unable to afford any aid. Ward got out, but Mr. Hassall and the Chinaman floated down the stream for a short distance and then sank. This being the whole of the evidence, the jury returned a verdict, "That the deceased was accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a boat in the Cudgegong river, whilst endeavouring to save the life of a Chinaman." Subsequently, an inquest was held upon the Chinaman's body. Evidence similar to the above having been given, a verdict of "Accidentally drowned by the upsetting of a boat," was returned.—Western Post.
'Hassall, Charles (1831–1863)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/hassall-charles-16236/text28174, accessed 9 October 2024.
1831
New South Wales,
Australia
27 July,
1863
(aged ~ 32)
Mudgee,
New South Wales,
Australia