A PENGUIN VICTIM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 462, 22 March 1909, Page 4

A PENGUIN VICTIM.

1 ANOTHER BODY FOUND. MR. UNDERWOOD, OF NEWTOWN. A dead body, which proved on investigav tioa to bo that of one of the victims of the Penguin wreck, Sir. H. J. Underwood, of Newtown, was discovered yesterday alternoon on the coast near Titahi Bay. The discovery was mado by a shooting party from Wellington, consisting of Messrs. V. Meredith (solicitor), A. F. York, Huntley Saunders V. Waters, W. Malmancho, and Detective Cassells. The party had reached Kaumanga Point, just opposito Mana Island, and it was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when Mr. Malmancho noticed tho body lying on tho beach. Ho at onco drew the- attention of Detective Cassells to tho discovery. It proved to bo the body of a man, headless, and in an advanced stage of decomposition, but clothed. Tho detective, with the assistance of some of his companions, carried it beyond tho reach of tho waves, and searched it. Ho found a metal watch and gold chain, and attached to tho chain was a metal pendant, bearing the following inscription :—"Rink Match. Presented by tho President, Mr. P. L. Gilkison, to 11. J. Underwood." There was no other means of identification, and had not tho deceased boon wearing this bowling trophy it would have- been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to speak with any certainty on the point, owing to tho loss of tho head and tho stato of decomposition of the body. Tho watch had stopped at 17 minutes to 12. Detcctivo Cassells placed tho body in tho scrub, and covered it up as decently as possible Ho will go out again this morning to brill" it into town. This task will bo a difficult one, owing to tho rugged and precipitous nature of the surroundings. It will probably bo effected by means of a boat, and with the assistance of somo of the Paromata fishermen. The detcctivo will tako :i coffin with him to tho beach, and will bring tho body back to town by train. It°was on tiio night of February 12, over five- weeks ago, that the _ Penguin was wrecked near Capo Tcrawhiti, on her way from Picton to Wellington. Kaumanga Point, whoro tho body was found yesterday, is about 20 miles from the scene of tho disaster. Mr. H. ,T. Underwood, who was immediately reported as among the missing, resided at the corner of Crawford Street and Drummond Street, and was well known locally, being tho owner of a considerable amount of property in the city. He was a cabinetmaker by trade, but had retired somo time ago. Mr. Underwood, who was a well-known member of tho Newtown Bowling Club, had been on a holiday visit tc Picton, and was returning by tho Penguin on tho night of the wreck.