AN OKOROIRE MYSTERY

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1924, Page 1

AN OKOROIRE MYSTERY

FIVE PEOPLE’ LAV CDAIM TO POISON BOTTLE' PUZZLE.

AUCKLAND, Oct. 2. The tracing of the identity of a body under the circumstances and conditions of the Olio found a. fortnight ago near Okoroire. is apparently no easy matter (writes the Matamata correspondent of the Auckland ‘‘‘Star”). Despite the oj iuTon given bv a Wellington wife to a “New Zealand Times” reporter, tliat the body was that of her husband, the description given seems to have tallied with that of a number of missing men, two of whom disappeared from Auckland and one from Whangarci; in fact, until publication is given of such a case the public has little idea of the number of men who are “missing.” MANY CLAIMANTS.

l'l> to the present there have been no less than live claimants to the remains. It would seem, however, that the only possible menus of identification will he the false teeth. The dentist who made these will certainly know his own work, and the relatives of any missing man will probably know where he intended to get his teeth (top und bottom sets) ma de. ft is extremely doubtful if the pocket-hook, described ns “with the compliments of Williams and Kettle, Util..” will assist in clearing up the mystery, for it is probable that many hundreds of these were given away. In any ease most, men carry wallets, and the original recipient of the one found oil the body might easily have given it to the dead man ; so that the latter might not have had trading relationship or even a knowledge of this linn of stock agents. In connection therewith, however, it is perhaps significant Hint one of the inquiries regarding the body comes from Napier which is one of the towns in which the firm has a place of business. The hoots, which were taken charge of by the police, provide a very slender means of identification. There was no name or distinctive mark on them. WHAT CAUSED DEATH?

Regarding the cause of death, it is probable that this will remain a mystery. Certainly there was a poison bottle by the skull, hut this had the stopper in. and there was no trace of poison in the bottle. Another consideration is due to the fact that a grass lire had passed over the body, anil the bottle had not been i racked or discoloured. It is surmised that the bottle might have been placed there by someone between the time that the body was first discovered and when the police saw it. On this other hand, the theory that the man fell off a train is discounted hv the fact that his hat was found level with Iris chest not a foot from the body. The pressure of air on a man falling from a train would certainly blow the hat awav from the Indy.

The'most feasible explanation might he that the man was destitute, was i* had health, and Jay down in the long grass, where he died of heart failure. This is pointed to by the fact Mint no valuables or money was found on or neai the clothing. That he met with violence is possible. Imt extremely improbable, for a close inspection of the skull and other bodes showed thyse to he. as the doctor put it. “well p,reserved and free from fi act lire.”

Such cases as the one under not he ..!*• ..It. II t.-a.l "I .1 I*. Ill" Ml'-I V,| I, in io**re |.l ■ | ■ 1 1 . Mod ..oinlries (adds 111.- coirespondent) lull seldom in New Zealand.