THE DROWNING CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 355, 4 March 1902, Page 2

THE DROWNING CASE.

RECOVERY OF BODY.

All doubt was set at rest yesterday in regard to the fate of Mr George Jacob Wiles, or “ The Yank,” as he was more familiarly known among his many friends. The body of the missing man was recovered near the mouth,if the AVaipaoa river. As was reported, Mr Wiles left his home on Wednesday evening to bring in a boat that he and Mr St. Cross had beached after crossing the bar at the AVaipaoa river, it having been too rough for them to return to Gisborne after a few hours’ fishing on Sunday. On leaving on Wednesday deceased assured his wife that he would not attempt to take the boat across the bar if it was too rough, and be also stated that he expected to reach home at eleven o’clock that night. Mrs Wiles naturally became very anxious at his failing to return that night, and friends went out in search early in the morning. On Friday the boat was found by Mounted Constable Doyle, and yesterday the suspense was relieved by the sad news that the body had been found. Evidently in trying to cross the bar the boat had been swamped. Wiles had then placed the oars under the seat of the boat, which would account for them being found there when the police discovered the boat. Being a strong swimmer, and knowing that the boat would come ashore in good time, ho had struck out for the shore—that, at least, is the most feasible theory', because on tho'finding of the body there was a rowlock in one pocket. That would show that he had been most careful of all the gear. The body was found by some natives on the Murewai side of the river, a short distance from the bar.

Tho body was brought to the morgue last night, Sergeant Siddells haying gone out to have it brought in. An inquest will bo held before Mr Barton, coroner, at ten this morning at the Court House. The deceased was a native of Washington, U.S., and had been in Gisborne for about two years. He was 36 years of age, and leaves a widow, for whom much sympathy is felt in her bereavement. The funeral leaves the deceased’s late residence ,\ n Lowe street at 3.30 this afternoon.