FARMER FOUND DROWNED.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 11 March 1932, Page 3

FARMER FOUND DROWNED.

SEARCHERS LED BY DOG. The body of William Scoon, a well known farmer of North Canterbury, a married man, aged 56, who had been living at Woodend Beach, and was misaing from his homo all day on Wednesday, was found in the Woodend Lagoon yesterday morning. Searchers were directed to the spot by. Mr Scoon'3 dog, which had remained by tile side of the lagoon. A search was begun late on Wednesday by relatives and neighbours, and by Constables Holmes and Conway, of Kaiapoi, and Mr Scoon'a vest was 1 found alongside Woodend lagoon, about 9 p.m., with his dog sitting nearby looking into the water. The search was continued at daybreak yesterday morning, and at" about 7.30 Mr Scoon's body was recovered . from the lagoon by Constable Conwav and Mr Payne, being found about 200 yards froni the shore in 2ft 6in of water. The body I was conveyed to the Kaiapoi morgue.' An inquest was held yesterday afternoon before Mr E. D. Mosley, District Coroner. Mrs Scoon stated that, her husband liad left home at about 9 a.m. to feed stock. As he did not return to lunch she went to look for him. Later, with a neighbour, she made a further search and traced footsteps to near the Woodend lagoon. The police were informed. Mr Scoon had had an accident about twelve months ago, and had had an operation six months ago, which had affected his health. He had been worrying lately and had not slept well. Constable J. Holmes gave evidence of identification and concerning the recovery of the body from the lagoon. Mr- Mofley returned a verdict that death was due to suicide by drowni}i3 I in a depressed state of miiiti.