Inquest.

Manawatu Herald, 18 November 1902, Page 3

Inquest.

An inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Courthouse by the Coroner, E. S. Thynne Esq., into the death of a man unknown, who W as found in the river on Sunday. The jury were—A. J. Tozer (foreman), G. Blanche, W. Alzdorf, J. O’Brien, and W. Hooker. The following evidence was taken; — , John Sciascia, bemg sworn, de-

posed—l am a labourer living at Foxton; yesterday afternoon I was pulling up the river and about halfpast four o’clock I saw a body caught in a log on the south bank of the Manawatu river; when I saw that it was the body of a man I returned and informed the constable; I returned with the constable and Jack. Taylor, but went on shore when we got there. John Forster, being sworn, de* posed—l am the constable stationed at Poxton; at six o'clock yesterday evening the last witness informed me there was a body in the river ; I went with him and John Taylor in a boat about a quarter of a mile past Symons’ mill up the river, and found the body of the deceased jammed amongst a lot of debris on the southern side ; we got the body out and brought it down to Laing’a hotel; I have no idea who the man is, and no one has been reported missing round the district; this morning I examined the body and could see no marks of violence ; the body was decomposing; the body is that of a man between 35 and 40 years of age, sft lOin high, well built, light brownish coloured hair mixed with grey ; apparently clean shaved, except a brown moustache; the two front top teeth large and prominent, the two bottom front teeth, decayed; he had all his teeth; clasped hands in a heart tatooed on left forearm in red and blue ink ; the body was clothed in a grey Woollen singlet and drawers, cotton tennis shirt, no collar, with pocket on the left breast; dark tweed trousers with a green stripe running down (a sort of check, tweed); ordinary elastic braces with leather tags; dark ribbed woollen socks; one sewn lace-up boot; no nails in the sole, slightly worn on the outside of the heel, a leather tab fastened on the outside ; mohair laces; the boot was on the left foot, size eight; in the left hand trouser pocket there was a two-bladed knife with buckhorn handle, German silver mounted at both ends and shield on one side ; a flag brand knife; in the right hand trouser pocket there was a split ring with latch key and portmanteau Key, and a small ring also upon it; from the appearance of the body I should say he had been, at the very least, a couple of raenths in the water; from his appearance! should say he had been drowned; the body had no coat or vest on. The jury brought in n verdict that the man was found drowned and was unknown.