A GRUESOME FIND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1084, 30 December 1903, Page 2

A GRUESOME FIND.

DEAD BODY DISCOVERED NEAR BREAKWATER,

As some people were fishing at the breakwater last night, they were startled by a large object coming to the surface. It was the body of a man, hut whether it bad floated down the river or been washed up by, the sea, those who first observed the body could not tell. Information was given to the police ; a boat was procured, and the body was taken to the morgue, where it now lies, pending an inquest to be held to-day. The only person who had been missing for some time past was a well-known identity named Patrick Monaghan, and enquiries were made at once by Sergeant Siddells to ascertain whether the body, was that of the missing man. Some of those who bad had a casual knowjedge of Monaghan did not think that it was his body ; but others who had known him well were sure as to the body being that of the missing man Monaghan. He was well known, throughout the district, being a laborer bv occupation. He had for some time resided at Ormond, and had worked for Mr Con.- Noonan, licensee of the Ormond Hotel.

Monaghan came to town on Christmas Eve, and meeting old friends he took, more liquor than was good for him. He was seen about the Salvation Army ring that night, behaving rather boisterously. A few months ago he jumped into the Waikanac stream from the railway bridge, being drunk at the time. It was not thought that he had really any suicidal intention, but he was kept under restraint until he had recovered from the “ spree.” The finding of the body was rather peculiar. Mr Lewis, an employee in the vicinity of the freezing works, in company with a friend, went down the breakwater to fish. They had tbeir lines in about sixty yards from the end of the pier. Mr Lewis felt something heavy on his line, and put down a larger hook. Upon going down the steps he saw that the object was the body of a man. He then sent word to the police. ~ Sergeant Siddells and Detective Nixon went down the river in a boat. The two men must have held the body for an hour and a-quartcr before help arrived. They had succeeded in working it against the current around the steps., where it was then taken charge or by the police As the drags would not hold in the clothing, ropes had to he ‘placed under the dead man's arms, and he was towed up the river to the morgue.} where the body was examined.

It was found to he In a state of decomposition, and must have been in the river some five or six days. The body was dressed in a pair of saddle-tweey trousers and a dark coat and vest. On the right ‘foot was a slipper tied round with screral plies of white cloth, and on the left foot a common boot. Deceased "wore a pair of wide red braces, from which was attached by a leather strap a door-key. Deceased wore (an emblem on his button-hole, and carried a leather purse, which contained 15s. As the description of the body tallied with that of Patrick Monaghan, lately in the‘employ of Mr Neenan, the police immediately sought out Mr Neenan, who was in town on business, and described the body.; From the description given, Mr Neenan was quite sure that the body was that of Monaghan. Some time ago a prohibition order was taken out against Monaghan and after that Mr Neenan had him in

hand and for some time . kept him .steady. He lived in a wharc about a quaiter of a mile from Ormond, and occasionally worked for Mr Neenan. Mr Neenan stated that he had given deceased £l not long ago. The^unfort unate man came to town on Christmas Eve, and was noticed by the police to be wearing the same clothes as when found in the river last night. _He was not seen afterwards, and it is supposed, judging from the state of the body, that” he must have been in the river shortly after being last seen on Christmas Eve. An inquest will he held this morning.