FATALITY AT TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 101, 9 October 1908, Page 2

FATALITY AT TE KUITI.

Man Found Drowned.

Oil Wednesday afternoon the body of a man named J. C. Meyer was found in the Mangaokewa river at Te Kuiti, a short distance below the bridge. Life was quite extinct, and it is surmised the man had been dead for some hours. The deceased originally came from Apiti, in the Fielding district, and had beerrstaying for some time with Mr Churcher, of Paemako. Meyer apparently intended Settling at Te Kuiti, as he had just concluded negotiations with Mr L. Bay ley for the purchase of Mr Baylcy's farm on the angaorino road. It is said that Meyer had been suffering from a sevefe attack of influenza and had been somewhat depressed. On Wednesday he remarked to an employee at Mr Hattaway's stables that unlessthe stableman shot lii,s (Meyer) sick horse he would Jrown himself. Thinking the remark was made jokingly, the man .took no notice of it, but later, upon hearing that Meyer was missng he at once informed Constable Mathew. The Constable, assisted by Mr Beck and others, instituted a search, and discovered a coat and hat on the river bank close to the bridge. Continuing the search Constable Mathew shortly afterwards discerned the body in the water. Upon the deceased being brought to the bank it was quickly seen that life was extinct, and the body had apparently been in the water "JJsome considerable time.