John Phillips

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate, Volume 11, Issue 56, 31 July 1900:

Found Dead.

A very old settler of this district, Mr John Phillips, was found dead on the Mahakipawa mud-fiat, between the Wharf and Mr J. Fulton’s residence, at 2 p.m. on Sunday last. No knowledge of the manner in which he met his death is available, he having left Mahakipawa for Mr Fulton’s in the evening, and not again heard of until his body was discovered, No suspicions of foul play are, however, entertained, the deceased being of an amicable disposition, and popular amongst the residents of tho district. The deceased, who was 68 years of ago, was a native of the parish of Bodmin, Cornwall, England, first arriving in New Zealand by the ship William Bryan, on April 1st., 1841, and landed at New Plymouth. During his residence in Taranaki, he was engaged throughout the Maori hostilities in that Province, and, for valued services in tho campaign, was presented with a revolver by General Cameron. Since his arrival in Marlborough, he has been employed in pastoral pursuits, in this district being at times in the service of Messrs Nees and Levien, at Okaramio, and Messrs Fulton and Gregg, at Mahakipawa, by the former of whom he was employed at the date of his death. The deceased was also a brother-in-law of Mr George Climo, senr., of this town. An inquest will be hold at Mahakipawa to-day.

Inquest at Mahakipawa - Published in the Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate 3 Aug 1900: An inquest on the body of the late John Phillips was held at the Mahakipawa Hotel, on Tuesday last, before George Rutland, Esq., J.P., (actingCoroner) and the following jury Messrs Alex. Campbell (foreman), J. Watts, D. A. Halkett, E. Neal, M. Patterson, and J. Campbell. James Fulton, farmer, deposed that deceased had worked for him for the last thirteen months. Last saw him alive on Saturday, 28th July; he was then having tea. He left witness’ house immediately after tea, saying he was going to moor the boat. He was informed deceased moored the boat, and saw nothing more of him that night. On Sunday morning, 28th July, on getting up, found that the horses had not been fed; this being deceased's regular occupation. About 8 a.m. his dog returned wet, being surprised at this witness went to deceased’s whare, and found he was not there. Soon after, C. Neilson came along for the boat as arranged with Phillips the previous night. Asked him if he had seen Phillips on the road. He replied he had not, but had picked up a bag with two bottles on the road. Witness then went in search of deceased; and on enquiring at the hotel, was informed Phillips had left there between 8 and 9 p.m. on Saturday. In searching along the beach on Sunday about 2 p.m., the tide having ebbed, saw the body on the mudflat, about 80 to 100 yards from the road. Tracks were to be seen on the mudflat proceeding from the shore outwards, and thence in various directions, but no tracks returning to the shore. Deceased was in fairly good health, but sometimes complained of giddiness. Where the body was found there would be from four to five feet of water at full tide; the position where the body was found was about mid-distance between the hotel and witness’ house. Deceased was of a cheerful disposition, and rather short-sighted after dark. Had found on the roadside a bag containing two full bottles of beer. F. Coombe, Constable, Cullensville, gave evidence as to removing the body. On searching the clothing, nothing but a pipe was found. The coat was found lying alongside; witness’ impression being that deceased had taken off his coat to assist him in swimming. Annie Young, wife of the licensee of the Mahakipawa Hotel, stated deceased came to the hotel on Saturday, 28th inst., about 7.30. He left about 8.15 perfectly sober, taking two bottles of beer with him. She served him with two glasses of beer, whilst at the hotel. Norman Coombs, miner, Cullensville, deposed that he last saw deceased alive at the Mahakipawa Hotel about 8 p.m. on Saturday, 28th July. Deceased was then quite sober, and witness did not see him served with any drink. James Young, licensee of the Mahakipawa Hotel, on oath, said he last saw deceased alive about 8 p.m, on Saturday, 28th July. He came to the hotel about 7.30 p.m. Witness heard deceased about 8.15 p.m. say “ good night,” as if he were going away. Deceased was perfectly sober. Witness assisted to recover the body, and observed tracks in the mud, which was about 18in, in depth. Walking in such mud was likely to be very distressing to a man of deceased’s age. On Saturday deceased seemed in better health and spirits than usual, and was always of a cheerful disposition. Richard Barker deposed that he saw deceased about 8 p.m. on July 28th. He was then sober, but a little merry, and seemed capable of taking care of himself. Edward Neal said he last saw deceased alive on July 28th., on the road from the Hotel towards Fulton’s, between 8-30 and 9 p.m. Witness had a little conversation with deceased, who seemed quite capable of taking care of himself. Witness would not have thought it likely deceased would wander on to the mudflat. William Coleman, butcher, Cullensville, gave evidence that he last saw deceased alive in the sitting-room of the Hotel, a little after 8 p.m. on July 28th. Deceased was then quite sober. In assisting to recover the body, witness noticed there were tracks zigzagging from the shore towards the body. There were no marks of any struggle in the vicinity of the body. Deceased was subject to fits of vertigo, and on Friday, July 20th., witness had helped him into bed, as he complained of giddiness. The tracks led from the place where the bottles were found to the body itself. Robert Hoadley, M.D., deposed to having made a post-mortem examination of deceased’s body. Had found no of violence. Had found the lungs were congested; the heart diseased, and very much enlarged. Considered cause of death to be due to exposure in the first place, and failure of the heart’s action, due to the congestion of the lungs. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, adding a rider “There was no evidence to show how he came to wander on to the mudflat where the body was found.”

Sources ↑ Cornwall OPC ↑ 'William Bryan'. 312 tons, departed Plymouth, Devon, on 19 November 1840, Arrived New Plymouth on 31 March 1841 . Alexander McLean, Commander; Henry Weeks, Surgeon-Superintendent. CLIMO Mr & Mrs James; DAWE Arthur; JAMES John; PHILLIPS Ann, John, Mary, Emma, Ann Jnr, Richard . Passenger list The Establishment of the New Plymouth Settlement in New Zealand 1841 - 1843

Compiled by J. Rutherford & W.H. Skinner