MYSTERIOUS DEATH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3072, 7 May 1917, Page 4

MYSTERIOUS DEATH

MAN'S BODY FOUND IN A SBATOUN "BACH." Acting under instructions, Constable Hickey broke open the door of a "bach" in Seauton yesterday, and found therein tlie dead body ot a man names James Mowbray, who had apparently been deceased some little time. People had knocked at the door at different times late!} 7 , but receiving no reply at any time, it was thought that something must have happened to its occupant, and as the dppr was looked it was deemed discreet to acquaint the police. The exact cause of death is not at.present known,'but as a bottle- of poison was found in the room it is conjectu red that the deceased may have committed suicide.

James Mowbray, /who was a tailor by trade, was a single man about <17 years of age. He was employed by Mr. David Milligan, of Lambton Quay, up till last Wednesday week, when he went home feeling unwell, and did not report again for work. Mr. -Milligan says that Mowbray was a well-read man, rather philosophic in character, and an extremely conscientious workman. He came to "Wellington from Dunedin (where, amongst other things, ho was a member of the Shakespearian Club), and had been in Mr. Million's employ for between throe and four years past. On the last day he was at work lie seemed rather depressed and out of sorts. As a coincidence, Mr. Milligan relates that on that day he said jokingly to him: "Well, Jim, is life worth living?" ■ Mowbray replied, laconically. "I don't go too much on it!" Mr. Milligan 'says that Mowbray has not enjoyed good health for some time past. His heart was evidently affected, as ho would never be hurried.

A post-mortem examination o[ tho hody is to bo made to-day.