BODY FOUND

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1077, 2 December 1911, Page 3

BODY FOUND

ON RIVER BEACH

NOT YET IDENTIFIED

Yesterday morning the body ol a man, who had apparently been in the water for some considerable time, was found up washed ou the river beach about lour chains on the Foxton side of the Fishermen's Point. The body was discovered by Mr A. A. Cook, who was cycling to the Beach at about io o’clock. He immediately communicated with the police, and Constable Woods went down and had the body removed to the morgue where it was searched for any evidence of identification. The deceased man appeared to be about 35 years of age, sft. pin. in height, and had brown hair, inclined to be ginger, a heavy ginger moustache, lull round face, aud two of the front teeth in the upper jaw were decayed aud broken. The man was of medium to stout build, and from appearances had followed the occupation of a labourer. He was dressed in greenish tweed trousers and vest, a soft tennis shirt aud blueish tie, heavy woollen underpants and singlet, light lace-up boots, which had been hall-.soled, and heavy browu woollen socks. He had no coat ou.

When the police searched the body nothing was found by which It could be ideutified, the only articles in the pockets being a silver Waltham watch and a snake-pattern silver chain, three watch keys, a piece of bone, aud 8s yd—two half-crowns, a twoshilling piece, a shilling, sixpence aud three pence —iu silver. The make of the watch was William Ellery, aud it beats the number 1254205. It bad stopped at 10.50 o’clock.

When the body was found it was lying face downwards in the sand, and facing the river. The water had just leit it, and it appeared quite fresh, giving the impression that it had not been in the water for more than a fortnight, but i'l" being exposed to the an .1...* carted up to the morgue u had a different appearance altogether, and it was found impossible to photograph the features. Owing to the advanced stale of decomposition of the hands it was also impossible to take the finger prints. The opinion of the doctor was that the body had been in the water for at least a mouth.

It is certain that the body must have come dowu the river as it would be practically impossible for it to wash iu Irom the sea.

Up to the present it has not been identified and there is no one reported missing throughout the district. THE INQUEST. An inquest on the body was held before Mr All. Phaser, District Coroner, Ibis morning, when the lollowiug evidence was taken : Constable Woods stated that at 10 o’clock yesterday morning he received information that there was a body lying on the river beach, and immediately proceeded to the spot. From its appearance it had been in the water for some time. Witness took a description of the body. The only articles found on the body were a silver watch and chain, three watch keys, a piece of bone and 8s yd in silver. Witness gave a description of the clothing found on the body. Had the body removed to the morgue aud bad it therefor inspection during the day, but up to the present it has not been identified. Owing to the advance.! si of decomposition ol Uie uouy u was impossible to take lingerpinls or have it photogrophed. Witness called in Dr. Adams to examine the body. Dr. Adams in evidence, slated that in accordance with instructions received tiom the police he made an examination of the body lying in the morgue. Upon examination witness found no signs of violence or injury aud no marks of identification. The body was iu a somewhat advanced stale of decomposition aud had apparently been 111 the water lor some weeks. As the decomposition was more advanced on face, neck and upper part of the chest he was ol the opinion that death most probably resulted from drowning.

The Coroner returned a verdict that the man found on the bank oi the Manawatu River, name unknown, met his death by drowning on a dale unknown.