Leader (Orange, NSW : 1899 - 1945) Fri 8 May 19148285

SPRING HILL.
(From our correspondents.)
Mr. W. Banham's death caused gen-
eral regret amongst a large circle of
friends, and much sympathy is felt
for the grief stricken widow and four
sons.

National Advocate (Bathurst, NSW : 1889 - 1954) Wed 6 May 19148286

Found Drowned
CASE AT ORANCE.
INQUEST HELD.
ORANGE, Tuesday.
An inquiry was held at the Court
House on Saturday by Deputy Coro-
ner J. M. Paul to. inquire into the
circumstances surrounding the death
of William Banham who was found
dead on Thursday afternoon in a shal-
low pool of water at the back of a cir-
cus near the Lands Office.
Dr. N. R. Howse, Government Medi-
cal Officer, stated : At the morgue this
morning, I examined the. body of de-
ceased. From what I have heard from
the police, and from what I found in
my examination, in my opinion the
cause of death was suffocation by
drowning. It is possible, deceased
could have been seized with a fainting
fit, and, falling into water, could have
been drowned in six inches of water.
Alfred Honey, circus performer at
St. Leon's Circus, stated: We were
showing in the reserve near the
Lands Office. From what some, chil-
dren told me, I went to a waterhole
near the circus and saw the body of
a man in the water. I then reported
the matter to Inspector Armytage.
There was a bank a few feet high near
the water, and there were marks of a
person having slipped down the bank.
Grace Louisa Banham, wife of de
ceased, stated : I reside at Huntley.
On April 30 I came into Orange with
my husband, and was with him dur-
ing the day and up to 7 p.m. I did
not see him after that. He then went
to the circus. During last week I
noticed that my husband was worry
ing. He never at any time mention-
ed, taking his own life. Deceased
was troubling himself about the pur-
chase of land. Deceased was 50 years
of age, and was a native of Windsor.
In regard to his financial positlon, he
had nothing to worry about.
Josiah Ginns, farmer at Huntley,
stated : I came into Orange on Thurs-
day and was with deceased. At night
we went to the circus. Deceased
went out at half-time, and I expected
his return. When he did not come
back I made a search for him after
the circus. When I did not find him
I reported the matter to the police.
Whilst having tea I noticed deceased
was despondent. When half-way
through he ceased eating. I asked
him to have some more, and he said,
"It is no good to me; I can't go on."
I have known deceased for 40 years,
and he was of temperate habits. I
have not known him to worry. He
was troubled over the purchase of a
farm.
Henry Armytage, sanitary inspector
for the Municipal Council of Orange,
stated : On May 1st my attention, was
drawn to a hole in the reserve by one
of the circus men. I went across and
saw the body of a man. I informed
the police. Later I assisted Constable
Graham to remove the body from the
water. I saw on the left-hand side
bank, which was about four feet high,
marks of where a person had slipped
down into the water. There were no
marks of a struggle having taken
place.
Constable Graham stated: On the
1st inst. I proceeded to the reserve
near the Lands Office, where I saw Mr.
Armytage, who informed me that the
body of a man was in a waterhole
On going to the spot I saw a man fully
dressed, and wearing an overcoat, in
the water. I removed it to the bank.
On searching the body I found £16 1s
7 1/2d in the pockets. The money was
made up of gold, silver, copper, and
cheques. I also found a watch and
chain, several receipts, and other artic-
les. I had the body removed to the
morgue. There were no mark's of
violence on the. body. The depth of
the water was about 18 inches to 2 feet.
First-class Mounted-constable Kier
nan, stationed at Spring Hill, stated:
I went to the hospital and identified
the body as that of William Banham,
a farmer at Huntley. Deceased was
of temperate habits.
The Deputy-Coroner returned a find-
ing that deceased died from suffocation
caused by drowning.
Deceased leaves a wife, (nee Miss
Tressider) and four sons, Aubrey, Eric,
Wilfred, and Norman.