The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-03-23 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

EGREDIONT.  On Monday morning, Mr. H. Chorton, district coroner, held an inquest at tho King's Arms Hotel, Liscard•road, Liscard, on the body of Harry Mayall, aged 23, of 45, Falk. land.road. Egremont, who was drowned on Saturday last. The deceased was the son of Alderman John Mayan, J.P., of Rock Bank, Moseley, near Manchester. and was a member of the film of Dlayall Brothers, cotton brokers, Liverpool. _ _  rhe first witness called was Jane Harrison, who said she was in the eervice of Mr. Edwin Mayall, brother of the deceased, who lived at 45, Falkland.road. The deceased, who was s single man, lived with his brother. On Satin.. day night, just before 11 o'clock, deceased went out of the house, saying that he was going out to meet his brother. He seemed to be perfectly well, having taken a hearty tea. She did not notice anything peculiar in his manner, and ho had often been out late at Edwin Mayall, brother of the deceased, said he last saw the deceased alive at the elfin at 11 o'clock on Saturday morning, when nose left. On Sunday morning he beard of the occurrence, and during the day the body wan brought to the hones The deceased was wearing his rough yachting suit. Witness examined the body and noticed a severe bruise on the right temple and the bridge of the bfTdawwr noseotoi nnlelrtk: wtadLias: deceased ee.i4:srni sc9P:dube!rrdr nowopg brother washbi, bruised. eenrsdartet generally lelanayttngtehtuWhewmihern: ehitntioetlylaure. tssatiseltihaßatlbete: 11:niff that Se ors nt.toreehgi cdwi the ah°dtbsllnTooameonael. deceased was a very strong swimmer. James Stanley, living at Mariue.terrice, Magazines, said on Saturday night last, st 11.35, he was on the sea wall at Egremont, when he heard the cries of a man calling for help. He looked out towards the river, but at first did not see anything. Os the cry being repeated he looked out and saw a man's head in the water. It was high water at the tune, the tide being on the ebb, bet the water was high up the wall. Witness, in answer to the Coroner, said he had always gone along the wall on the way home, but he shoved not doss again. The place was badly lighted, and it was possible for anyone walking along the wall to fall in the river. ' Where he saw the man's head was opposite the wide part of the wall opposite the hoarding. There was only one lamp, and that was at the extreme mei of the wall. On seeing the head be sent his nephew, who was with him, to the ferry. He returned with a lifelmoy, but it was useless, as the deceased had gone down. By a Juryman : The deceased seemed to get little nearer to the wall, but not much. It was possible that in falling the head of the deceased might have come in contact with the steps. A. Juryman : There are several flights of steps which are very nuprotectA, and one portion of the wall is very narrow. Mr. Mayall said his brother could swim the whole length of the wall against the tide with his clothes on. Ile had seen him do it. John Gowdie, swollen at Egremout Ferry, said on receiving information that there was someone in the water he went on to the wall to the man Stanley. On the way he beard • distinct cry from the river. About 3.30 on Sunday morning, the tide having gone down, witness recovered the body of the deceased, about 30 or 40 yards horn the wall. The Coroner: It is not often that accidents happen here, is it? Witness: A good many fall over there. I have brought one gentleman to the Magazines who had his hip put out one night. The Coroner: I don't remember myself having to do with any cases of falling juts the sea and getting drowned. Witness: No. A juryman observed that there were a good many complaints about the wall, and that there ought to be a rail or scone Protection. The Coroner, addressing the Jury, said in considering this case it was quite evident that there was no direct evidence to prove by what means this unfortunate young main met with his death. It was pretty clear that he was in the habit of going out late at night, particularly after baying taken a heavy supper. Fle was in constant traiuiug and a wonderfully strong swimmer, which rendered the case so mach more mysterious and difficult to unravel. He dared say, however, that if the young man had fallen into the water and had not come into contact with anything between the wall and the river, he would have been alive at the present moment. lb did not suppoee that anyone would entertain the idea of suicide —(" No, Do ") itua there was no one to prove teat he accidentally fell into the river, and therefore he apprie Minded that the jury would probably return an open verdict. It was in their power to make a presentment with regard to the light. tog of the wall. His own impression was that they bad ample grounds for makings presentment to the Local Board. Considering the number of people who must pus and repass backwards and forwards over that wall late al night, it was only right that the Local Board should be made to know that of all points in the parish of Wallasey this was one of very considerable danger. After a short deliberation the jury bronght !in a verdict of "Found drowned," there boug no direct evidence as to how the deceased entered the water. The jury added a present. ment suggesting to the authorities that the wall should be lighted and guarded better than it was at present. The Coroner agreed with the verdict, re• marking that he often went along the well in the day time, but he had enure regard fot Ins life than to go there sleight. The jury further wished to express their deep sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.