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HEAZLEHURST

Joseph Heazlehurst


Burial location unconfirmed
Bluff Pioneer Cemetery Devonport

FOUND DROWNED

About 20 minutes past four yesterday afternoon, a son of Captain Reid, whilst playing on board the s.s. Cambria at the Railway wharf, observed a man lying face upwards in about 12 feet of water right at the stern of the vessel. He at once gave the alarm and the men procuring a boathook dragged the body ashore and sent for the police. Sub Inspector Webster was soon on the spot and at once identified the drowned man as Joseph Hazlehurst, a plaster’s laborer, who gas been working about Formby for the past nine or ten years. The sub Inspector sent a man for a stretcher which was soon forthcoming through the agency of Constables Norris and Harris who conveyed the corpse to Kimberley’s Hotel, where it now lies awaiting an enquiry. Accounts to hand respecting Hazlehurst’s connections are rather vague, but we gather that some 30 years ago he was making bricks at Torquay (Mt. Job Savage’s house being built with bricks of his making). After this he went to Melbourne and report hath it that he started an ironmongery business and was doing well, when his wife took to drink, he followed suit with the result that he returned to the Mersey and started laboring. The deceased was apparently about 60 years of age and has been noted here for his dissolute habits. He was last seen alive at 11 a.m. on Sunday, by Master Herbert Padfield. It is supposed that Hazlehurst committed suicide in some quarters, whilst in others it is thought that he was fishing and fell in. An inquest will be held to-day on the body by Mr. Coroner Kemp.

The North West Post 27th March 1888

INQUEST

An inquest was held yesterday at Kimberley’s Family and Commercial Hotel, before G. A. Kemp, Esq., Coroner and a jury of seven, of which Mr. T. F. Beale was foreman, upon the body of a man named Joseph Hazlehurst, who was found drowned near the Railway wharf, Formby, on Monday last. The following evidence was taken:- Herbert W. J. Webb deposed that he knew the deceased, Joseph Hazlehurst. He was a bricklayer’s laborer. Last saw him alive on Sunday morning at about 11 o’clock. The deceased was then crossing the paddock between the Residential Club and Mr. Douglas’ home and was by himself. Did not speak to deceased, who appeared to be under the influence of liquor and was coming from the direction of his home. He crossed the fence on to the Esplanade and was going in the direction of the wharf. Did not see him go on to the wharf. John A. Austin, contractor, deposed that he was working at the Railway wharf, at Formby, at about 4 p.m. on Monday last, when his attention was called to a body, lying in the water which was about 7 or 8 feet deep. Did not examine the body and could not say if there was any marks upon it. Noticed no blood on any part of the face. The body was dressed as at present. After witness took the body out of the water, he ascertained the police had been sent for. By the foreman: Knew he was dead and his hands were rigid. William Greenway, ironworker, deposed that he had seen the body of deceased, whose name was Joseph Hazlehurst. Had know him for about six weeks and had a slight recollection of him in Victoria. In conversation with him, he told witness he believed his wife was still alive. He had been drinking for the last three weeks. Last Wednesday, witness and another man took him home from an hotel. He could take care of himself. On the same night he asked for a bottle of Chlorodyne, but he did not get it. Saw him the next evening, when he said that, he had filled his pockets with stones and went to the water but turned coward and could not do it. Thought he was a little delirious and under the influence of drink. After this, heard him say that he drank two bottles of chlorodyne at intervals. He lived alone and had drink in the house with him, which he told witness he took to make him sleep. To witness knowledge he had been drinking for the past three weeks. On Sunday evening witness went to his house, but could not find him and learned that he had not been to either of the hotels all day. Spoke to Sub Inspector Webster about him, as he thought that perhaps he had made away with himself. Last saw him alive on Saturday evening about 7 ‘clock.
To the jury: When he spoke about having stones in his pockets, witness was under the impression that he had intended to do away with himself. Had seen him with money.
John Webster, Sub-inspector of police at Formby, deposed that he had the body of deceased. His name was Joseph Hazlehurst and was 59 years of age. On Monday last, at about 4 p.m., tow boys reported that a body was in the river lying astern of the s.s. Cambria. Proceeded to the spot and found the body lying upon the bank of the river, with the head out of the water. There was no sign of any blood on the face, there were pieces of skin knocked off the fingers. The body was about half way, between the two wharves when discovered. Had examined the body but could find no marks of violence. There was not any property on the body except a handkerchief. The blood on the handkerchief and face came from the ears. Had known the deceased about four years. He had been drinking about three weeks. He had been living in a hut by himself.
The jury after a short retirement returned a verdict of “Found drowned in the River Mersey, but there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water.

The North West Post 29th March 1888