FOUND IN RIVER

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 35, 5 November 1942, Page 6

FOUND IN RIVER

Bodies Of Man And Woman Dominion Special Service. HASTINGS, November 4. The discovery’ of two bicycles, a woman’s and a man’s, and portions o. clothing belonging to a woman and a man under a bridge at Ilaumoana, on Sunday afternoon led to the recovery from thb Tukituki River by the police of two bodies. The victims are Joan Gunn, single, aged 22, Hastings, and Kennet.i RobertTlerd, jnarried, aged 28, also Hastings. , The body of Ihe woman was recovered from the river by the police late yesterday afternoon and that of the man at an early hour this morning. The first Intimation that a 'tragedy might have occurred was when a farmer of the district saw the bicycles and portions of clothing on Sunday’ afternoon. He at first though t they belonged to some picnickers, but as the articles and bicycles were Still under the bridge late that night, lie informed the Clive police. The identity of the woman was established by a ration book discovered in a handbag where the cycles were left. An inquest on the victims was opened before the coroner, Mr. G. Ebbett. at Hastings this morning. Joseph Gunn identified the woman’s body as that <>l his daughter. He said he last saw her alive nt midday on Sunday and knew ot no reason why she should take her life. Evidence was given by Constable V,’. Craigie as to the identification of the bod" of Robert Herd, a driver by occupation. A sine die adjournment was granted oy the coroner to allow the police to make further investigations.