OLD MAN'S END

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10604, 1 June 1920, Page 5

OLD MAN'S END

FOUND DEAD IN CEMETERY,

While Mrs Moßeth, a patient at the Otaki Sanatorium, was traversing ria the cemetery to the institution on Saturday (writes tho "Times" Otaki correspondent), she found the dead body of Wiremu Hamuera Pomare, commonly known as Billy," a well-known identity, who had resided in Otaki for the past forty-two years. At the inquest, which was held before /Mr W. 0. Nation, district coroner, the following evidence was given: Kipa to Whatauui stated that deceased had been living with him since 1878, and his age was about 78 years. Deceased, who was born at Foxton, had been blind since he wae ten yeans of age. He last saw deceased alive on Thursday night last, when be had tea, said good-night, and then went to the whare where he slept. Ho then seemed in his usual health.

Mary Mcßeth, a patient at the Otaki Sanatorium, said she was walking through the cemetery at,about 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when she saw deceased lying on his back in about the middlo of the cemetery. She oxamined tho body sufficiently to discover that the man was dead. She then proceeded to . the hospital, and telephoned particulars to the police. In her opinion deceased died of exposure—JfTiday. night being particularly cold. Constable Satherley said he found the deceased lying on his back, ttw arms foldod across tho chest, and tho knees bent up as it to keep i-arm. Deceased was dressed in an old coat, shirt, and He had on no other clothing. In" his opinion, deceased was on his wa yto the house of a .friend, but had wandered along tho wrong road, and finally died of exposure.

A verdict of death from exposure was returned.