TUAKAU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 400, 13 August 1918, Page 2

TUAKAU.

A MYSTEKY SOLVED

.The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Mrs Clara Alethea Moore, a resident of Ellerslie, who was last seen in the vicinity of Tuakau bridge at night-time on April oth, was solved on Thursday last when her body, in an advanced state of decomposition, was found in the Waikato River in the vicinity of Tuakau bridge. The inquest was opened at the Tuakau Courthouse on Friday by Mr Cecil Roadley, the District Coroner.

William Moore, of Ellerslie, ident fled the remains as those of his. late wife. He related that she left home about 345 p m on Friday April sth, whilst he was awav at work She had been suffering from a nervous breakdown. As she did not return home in the evening he com municated with the police. The previous day the deceased had left home in the morning for Auckland and had arrived back in tho evening in a motor car, her explanation being that she had been to Tuakau, where her old home was.

Similar evidence was given by the previous witness' son, Frederick William Moore.

Alfred Henry Lapwood, launch proprietor, deposed that on the previous day (Thursday) information was given him by a kaifcaste that there was a body in ihe river and on communicating with Constable Taylor he assisted the latter in recover ing it. George Samuel Lapwood, coach proprietor, of Tuakau, stated th«*t on April sth, after the arrival of the evening train from Auckland, he was stopped by a lady who asked him if he was (hiving towards the river and on his replviug in the affirmative she took a seat in his conveyance. .She got out at the Tuakau end of the bridge saying that she intended to walk to Mr Rallimore's homestead about half-a-mile further on.

Constable Taylor deposed tiiat on the evening of April oth, from in formation received, he went to the river bridge at Tuakau and there took possession of a lady's nmbrella that had been found on the bridge. That umbrella was later onrecgnised by the first witness as belonging to bis wife. He subsequently dragged the rivor without success. At this stage the enquiry was adjourned until yesterday f.>r the attendance of Miss Dorothy Moore, who was with h.-r mother «hn the latter left home on Apiil 5 h Upon thi p'oc* dings being yest.rday re umed at the J'ukek- he Courthouse Mis< Mo'»re deposod that dur in;: tlie night o' Apul 4th the deceased had expressed a w?sh fo see her brother, who lived at Tuakau She (deceased) left the house about -I pm. on April oth saying she was going to see her sister, who lived a" Ellerslie. Such a visit was usiul for deceased. The Coroner returned an open verdict, p inting out that thfre was do evidence to afford any proof as to how the deceased g t into the river. The de<e.ised had expressed a wish to xo to her old home and as she had been brought up on the banks of the Waikato she had doubtless wandered by the riverside.