Dominick Joseph KAVENEY [11634]

   Cause of his death was Drowned in a ditch - resulted from being drunk.

  General Notes:

NZ Death 1900/1904 Kaveney Dominick Joseph 44y

OTAGO WITNESS, ISSUE 1886, 13 JANUARY 1888
SOUTHLAND LAND BOARD.
The following business was transacted at the the meeting held on the sth inst.:
Applications granted: To complete purchase -
. . .
D. J. Kaveney applied to lease section 2, block IX, Wrey's Bush, at 5s per acre.- lt was resolved to offer for lease from year to year all the municipal reserves in Wrey's Bush township at 10s per acre.
. . .

Western Star, Issue 2394, 23 JAanuary 1900
INQUEST AT WREY'S BUSH.

An inquest was held on the 12th inst. at Wrey's Bush touching the death of Dominic Joseph Kaveney, who was found drowned in about 9 inches of water in the township, before Mr W Saunders, J P., acting-coroner, and the following jury:'97Messrs J J Newton, J.P., P M'Anelly J W Ford, P Chamberlain, J Egan, and P O'Meara. Constable Joyce conducted the examination:

Mrs Kaveney, wife of the deceased, identified the body as that of her husband. He was about 44 years of age, a native of Ireland, and had been over 20 years in the colony. Last saw him alive in the Catholic Church ground, Wrey's Bush, at 6.30 p m. on Monday 8th. On Tuesday, the 9th, he was working all the afternoon, and at 6 witness left to prepare tea, expecting her husband home shortly after. A little after 7 o'clock her children informed her that they bad seen their father going through the convent grounds towards the hotel. As he had not returned by 10 o'clock she sent her son down to the hotel to enquire if her father was there, but be returned without going, frightened. Witness accompanied by Miss Geary, and her son, got a lantern, and went in search of deceased. On enquiry at the hotel they learned that Mr Kaveney had left sometime previously to go home. After a farther search they returned to the hotel and met Mr Flynn, who, in reply to enquiries, said he had not seen Mr Kaveney for some hours. He was then talking with Mr P Hogan about the Transvaal war. Witness said

Flynn she was searching for her husband, and he helped to look for him. Witness saw a dog, that usually accompanied deceased, near the bridge in front of the hotel, and as it would not leave its position, witness said her husband was likely about there. She asked Mr Flynn if there was any water there, and he said no. He took the lantern and descended the bank, and saw deceased lying face downwards close to the bridge, which was without protection rails on the sides. She was so overcome with the shock that she could not remember what transpired subsequently. The body was removed to her home. It was then about 1.30 a.m. About 12 months ago deceased met with an accideut by which his head was badly hurt, and he had not been in good health since. He was fond of alcoholic drink.

To the foreman - Witness did not understand that he was going to the hotel. During the day she had promised him a shilling to buy drink with if he assisted to clean the chapel grounds. To a juryman'97Went to the hotel a second time at 12 o'clock, and saw two women standing at the door. Had since learned that they were Mrs Flynn aud Mrs Naylon. This was only twenty yards from where deceased's body was found, but did not think they could have seen it from where they stood. Examination continued'97Mr Flynn took the body out of the water and brought it home in a wheelbarrow. From the position of the body in the water it appeared to her that deceased had fallen over the end of the bridge. He was not under the influence of drink when she last saw him alive.

Mary Geary, dressmaker, and Bertie Kavaney, aged 13, son of the deceased, gave evidence corroborating that of the previous witness. John Creegan said he had seen deceased last alive on the 9th inst at 2 p m. He was quite sober then. Between 3 and 4 a in on the 10th Bertie Kaveney came to his place and said his mother wished to see him as his father was dead. He went to the
house. Deceased was fully dressed, but without a hat. He was present when his clothes were taken off, and he saw no marks of violence on the body. Mary Driscoll, wife of Timothy Driscoll, gave evidence to the effect that Mary Geary came to her after the body was found, and she went out and met Mr Flynn wheeling the body in a barrow. He was quite dead, and bore no marks of violence.

James Flynn, hotel keeper, Wrey's Bush, said he had known the deceased for years. Last saw him alive about dusk on Monday, the 9th. He was sitting on a form with Pat Hogan in font of the hotel. He could not say whether or not he was sober. He had not served him with any diink that afternoon. He urderstood that Mis Flynn gave him one drink that afternoon'97a beer. Witness had served him with two glasses of beer before 1 o'clock in the day. He went inside and left Hogan and deceased sitting on the form. He heard them conversing, and when the sound of voices ceased, he concluded each had gone home. About ten p m Bertie Kaveney enquired for his father, and witness replied that he had not seen him since dusk. His wife also spoke to the boy, and then said to witness " I saw Mrs Kaveney and some one with her outside. I think you had better go out and see them." Witness did so, and they told him they were searching for Kaveney, and could not find him. "While talking in front of the door deceased's dog came up to them, and Mrs Kaveney remarked that her husband must be in the vicinity. Mrs Kaveney and witness went in the direction of some trees, but as the dog did not follow they came back, and saw the dog sitting on the bridge Witness went into the house to get a light and while there heard Mrs Kaveney call out. He is drowned beside the 'bridge." Witness ran out and saw him lying in the water face down. He lifted the body out, and did evrything he could to restore animation, but deceased was quite dead. He then got a wheelbarrow, the only mode of conveyance available, and removed the body home. To the foreman: Deceased had never got any drink from him which would make a man drunk since his accident twelve months ago. His wife had asked witness not to supply him with drink. The drink which Mrs Flynn bad served him with was before witness had seen deceased sitting on the form with Hogan. He had no drink from witness that afternoon.

Patrick Hogan, contractor, said he knew the deceased. Last saw him alive at 8 30. Was then sitting with him for a little while in front of the hotel. Could not say whether he was sober or not. Witness had no drink with him that afternoon. Witness entered the hotel, and asked Flynn to serve him (witness), and he replied telling him to clear home. When witness went outside, he did not see deceased whom he thought had gone home. They had had no quarrel and were the best of friends.

  Research Notes:

Dominick married Jane McKEON [11638] [MRIN: 4287] on 30 Jun 1885 in New Zealand. (Jane McKEON [11638] was born circa 1862 and died on 25 Jul 1942 in New Zealand.)

  Marriage Notes:

NZ Marriage 1885/2595 Jane McKeon, Dominick Joseph Kaveney