UNSOLVED MYSTERY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 19 January 1938, Page 11

UNSOLVED MYSTERY

SUPPOSED DROWNING. FRUITLESS INQUIRIES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 18, Widespread inquiries by the police throughout the North Island have failed to throw any light on the curious mystery that surrounds the apparent drowning of a young boy at Milford Beach nine days ago. Close investigation of all cases of persons reported missing, inquiries made at boys’ homes and orphanages, and searches for the body carried out over long stretches of waterfront, have all proved fruitless. Even if the supposed victim of the tragedy were a visitor to Auckland, it. is realised that sufficient time has now elapsed for a report to have been made to the police. However,, there has not been a report of a missing person that would tally in any particular with the facts known to the authorities, who admitted that they were now at a loss to know which way to turn. Neither clothing nor a towel was found anywhere near the beach, which might have led to a solution of the mystery. Notices giving full particulars of the affair have been circulated among all police stations in the Auckland area in addition to the principal police stations all over the North Island. Officers stationed close to the waterfront have been specially instructed to keep a sharp look-out for the body, and daily searches are being maintained along tho rocks between Milford, Takapuna and Castor Bay. Two eye witnesses of the supposed disappearance of the hoy remain emphatic in the details as to what they saw. A boy who was boating near the scene said be definitely saw a boy s band and leg disappear. The possibility that the witnesses were deceived by a large fish of some kind has been suggested, but these . persons will not ■ agree. Until a body is discovered it lfl felt nothing further can be done, and ; the police searches will he continued.