A TRAGIC DEATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1740, 4 May 1906, Page 2

A TRAGIC DEATH.

A YOUNG MAN’S TERRIBLE FAT!

(Per Press Asaociatlcn.) Auckland, yesterday. James Fenwick, son of Mr Robert Fenwick, of T- and S. Morrin and Company, missing since Thursday last, was found last u<ght huddled up in a heap on the floor of an outhouse in Mount streo 4 , off Symonds street How he got there is a mystery at present, extremely difficult of solution. Fenwick was in a highly critical condition, unable to afford any information as to how be came to be where be was found. His baod was doubled under him, and the fl «h appeared to have been eaten away. His bones seemed protruding through the skin. His clothes had tbe appearanoe of not having been removed for days. There was a terrible out, penetrating to the bone, on the right temple, and two lesser wounds on the forehead. It was evident Fenwick had been lying in his cramped position for some days, if not since Thursday last, obviously without food and drink, whioh accounts fjr bis shockingly emaciated condition. Tbe door of tho outhouse was locked from within, the key being in tbe lock. It is possible, although at present there is nothing to show, that he was attacked in the street and ran into the outhouse from bis assailant, and, locking himself in, fell with exhaustion and loss of blood.

Fdnwiok was removed to a private bo3pit,l. Inquiries made early this morniDg show that he is sinking. Shculd he re--cover, his injuries and general condition are of suoh a nature as to leave permanent matkr upon him Having had a fairly robust oontt : tutioD, it is possible the young fellow may pull through, but the ordeal he has gone through has bceo a terrible one. Liter. —Fenwick, the victim of the Mount street mystery, is dead.

Tho outhouse in which Fenwick was found stands at the foot of a flight of steep concrete steps. It is presumed he fell down the etepe and sustained the wounds on his forehead, and that he lay on his right side for eeveral days. The wounds are, such as could have been oaused by falling forward on the steps. THE MASTERY DEEPENS. REPORTS OF A NIGHT-OUT.”

ACCIDENT THEORY SCOUTED,

(Pot Press Amoniatfou.)

Auckland, last night. The mystery surrounding the death of James Fenwick has not yet been cleared up ; in fact the affair appears to grow more mystorioue. The latrine in which deceased was found is at the foot of a flight cf con Crete stepp, and one theory is that he fell down these ttepp, injuring his head, and then got into the letrine, automatically locked the door, and collapsed. The great reticenoe of the poliop, doctors and all concerned, however, seems to indica‘o that the accident theory is not considered patisfec'ory. It appears that a dootor asked deceased

if the wound was the result of a blow or fall, and he nodded his bead, wbiob, of oouree, might have meant oither. The doctor then a-ked if it was the result of a row in the street, and deceased shook his head.

It is alleged that deceased had visited several hotels on the night when last seen, and some comrades offered to see him home, and he declined, and was not seen again until found yesterday in the out' house.

Tbo latest information is to the effeot that a six-chambered revolver, with one obamber discharged, was found in the pan of the latrine, and it ia alleged deceased said to his brother on the morning before his disappearance, " Qh, I am going to ohm k all this.”

The proceedings at the inquest tomorrow will probably be formal, and an adjournment will be asked for to give the polico an opportunity of continuing their inve-t'gations. The affair has caused a painful sensation in town.