The Oroua Downs Mystery.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 24 October 1891, Page 2

The Oroua Downs Mystery.

. ._ — . ■+ Constable Gillespie returned to town on Thursday night, after his trip to unravel the mystery attaching to the finding of the remains of some man, on a portion of the Oroua Downs estate. At the inquest it was clearly shown that the man could not have been dead more than two years, owing to the state of preservation certain articles found by the bones, were in. Constable Gillespie is now assured that the remains are those of an unfortunate man named \V. B. Clements, who a year ago was working at Richards' mill, on the bank of the Eangitikei river. It was noticed by his employer, and the hands at the mill, that there was something wrong with the man, as he, whilst flaxcutting would at times half strip himself, and jump upon his clothes. His conduct at last was f?o strange that he was told that he would have to leave. It appears that he was seen afterwards at Yanko's jit Carnarvon, and it will be remembered that we reported that Mr Harper, who was erecting a fence for Mr Rooinson at Cainpbelltown, noticed a stranger enter into the paddock where the body was found, aud that Mr Harper remarked upon the peculiar antics of the man, and had called out to him to ask if he knew where he was going to. It is an Unpleasant idea that a

man with a weak intellect should be allowed to wander about and die like a dog, but it is one that <^not, in a new country, very well be^avoided. It is however satisfactory to be able to be sure as'to whose the remains, those found, were, and the clearing of the mystery up reflects great credit on the constable, Constable Gillespie will probably in his report to his superior Officer, enter into details and dates, which will place the assumption beyond doubt.