A BOMBAY SENSATION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 173, 12 May 1916, Page 2

A BOMBAY SENSATION.

A Stranger's Death.

After Being Found Alive in a Plantation. Yi9teiday afternoon a sensation was caused at Bombay by the discovery id a plantation on Mr W Landon a property of a man in a demented and collapsed conoitior, whosf death shortly afterwards occurred whilst he was being taken to PukeKohe to receive rrcJical treatment

SHEL'LUK FOR THE NtUUL It appears that late on Wednefday afternoon two men, one of whom wa9 the decuased, came along the Bombay road, apparently having tramp:d t;om Auckland, and calling at Mr U Wilson's firm the decaged, who then spoke rationally, asked it thsy couLl obtain any shelter tor the night, the weitner beinj boisterous and Wit. Permission was given them to rest in the loft attached to a shed on the farm, and they were seen to enter the loft

"A BIT CKAZ*." Yesterday morning Fercy, son of Mr Wil oi, observed the deceased's companion near the shed, and the latter asked him if he had seen his "mat* 1 ," adding that "He (the mate) was a bit crazy." The boy answered in the negative and tho deeeasod's companion, who was carrying a swag, then went oil down the road towards Pokeno, remarking that ho was going to Uuntly. It is surmised by tho police that tiio men were probably chance companions on the tramp and that duriog the night the deceased wandored out of tho shed and that his companion supposed that ho (tho deceased) no longer desired his company and had gone oil on his own account.

CHEWING PINE NEEDLES AND THISTLES.

Tho noxt phase of tbo tragical occurrence was that whilst walkiug over his farm about 3.30 yesterday afternoon Mr Wilson noticed a man lying down in the wind and rain iu tho plantation on Mr Landon'a furni close to his Wilson's) fence. Ho went to him and saw that he had only one boot on and had no hat. Ha asked him where his boot was, ana the reply was " Up the street." Mr Wilson's next <juostion was, '* Where did you have your dinner," and the stranger's answer was, " At the Grey Statue." The man commenced to chew pine needles and thistles and Mr Wilson then went for assistance, Mr Laudou and Mr J. Townsend comiug to his aid. The man was induced to proceed in the direction of the shed, where his missing boot and hat were found, but he twico collapsed whilst walking, and he was then carried into the shed. A cup of hot cocoa was handed him, which he refused to drink and broke the cup with his teeth.

DIES ON THE WAY TO PUKEKOHE.

An endeavour was made to telopliono to Pukekohe for medical assistance and for police aid, but owing to the prevailing gale the telephonic service was temporarily disorganised and no communication was possible. A conveyance was obtained and a start was made for Pukekohe by Messrs Wilson and Townsend with the stranger, in a collapsed state, in their charge. When the township was reached, however, it was found that lifo was extinct. On the party arriving at the police station Dr Wake was summoned and attended at once, but could only certify that death had taken place. Tho body now lies at Pukekohe Police Station, where an inquest was opened this afternoon by tho District Coroner (Mr C. Roadley) and adjourned. The fuueralwillbe conducted at tho expense of tho Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

THE DECEASED'S DESCRIPTION.

Tho only clue to tho deceased's identity is that whilst being taken from the plantation to Mr Wilson's shod ho in reply to Mr Townseud said that his name was William Holmes and that ho had a brother working at Napior. Ho was apparently of about oO to ;'>.') years of age, of medium build, '"'ft Kin, in height, and of dark complexion. Either of his arms boar the tatooed tiguie of a female. Ho wore a Jark brown suit and a dark felt hat (nearly new) aud also boots that showed little wear. Judging by his hands and tho soft state of hit; muscles he had not, auyhow of late, boon engaged in manual labour. His loft log lias an inward curve, haviog ovidontly boon brokou at some time. There was no money in his pockets and no papers of auy soit.

DECEASED'S COMPANION. The police are in search of the man, who had been in deceased's company and who, as previously stated, departed yesterday from Bombay along the road in tho direction of Fokeno probably for Huntly, in the hope that he will bu able to furnish evidence as to deceasod's identity. This man is of from .'iO to 10 years of ago with a dark moustache, of medium build, oft Tin or sft Sin in height, aud was dressed in a dark brown suit patched on tho seat , und brown felt hat. He wore loose material round his neck and was carrying a swag on his back wrapped in a white tent.