Labour Australia

Andrew Dewey, a stockman in the employ of A. Dunn, grazier, of Rylstone, was drowned in the Merriwa River yesterday afternoon whilst crossing on horseback after some cattle. His body was recovered about an hour afterwards by William Mason, who dived into the river and brought it to the surface. An inquest was held last night by Mr W. F. Parker, coroner, and a verdict of accidently drowned was returned. Dunn, Dewey and another man were in charge of about 500 head of cattle for Sydney. Two or three head crossed the river and got into the lucerne paddock. Dewey took a short cut across the river to get them, not knowing the depth, which was about 12ft, and not being able to swim, he was drowned. Dunn and the stockman tried to assist Dewey, the former going in on horseback. When in the deep part, Dunn’s horse reared, and threw him into the river. He got out with considerable difficulty. The stockman raised Dewey’s body with a pole to the surface, but having no assistance, was obliged to let it go again. All the parties are natives of Rylstone.