A Skeleton Found

Levin Daily Chronicle, 24 February 1917, Page 2

A Skeleton Found

[ AX OLD MYSTERY. The skeleton of a man was a few [ days ago discovered at the back of Mr Mackenzie's property, South Manakau, at the outskirts of the bush. The clearance of fern, etc., by the recent .fires revealed the skeleton. The matter was reported to the police, who, however, have-not yet thoroughly in- - vestigated the matter. Those who have examined the remains •declarc that the skeleton is that of a short man—a white man. The skeleton was in a reclining position. A knife and key were found close by. It is thought by some that this discovery may mean a solution of the Manakau mystery of some six or seven years ago. when Peter Smith disappeared. It will be remembered that old Peter Smith, who kept a store at Manakau, suddenly disappeared, and all efforts to find his whereabouts were futile. It is stated that old Peter used to go "for long rambles on the hills at times, and that on oiie of the>se occasions either lost his way or succumbed to fatigue or exposure, or died as the result of a sudden seizure of It seems quite probable that the skeleton discovered is that of the missing man. At any rate, the matter is causing the keenest interest, and it is hoped that very [careful investigation wiill be made. If the mystery can be cleared up it will be a good thing. — Otald MaaK.