AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8101, 4 May 1906, Page 2

AN AUCKLAND SENSATION.

MYSTERIOUS DEATH Of A YOUNG MAN. I'EH MESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, May 3. Jainos Pen wick, son of Itobert Fenwick, of Morrin and Company, who had been missing since Thursday, was found huddled up in a heap on the floor of a outhouso in Mount street. How he got there is surrounded in mystery, difficult of solution. When found, Fenwick's hand was doubled under him, and tho flesh appeared to bayc been eaten away. The bones appeared to be protruding through the skm. His clothes had evidently not been removed for days. There was a terrible cut, penetrating to the bone on the right temple, and two lesser wounds on the forehead.

It is evident from the cramped position that the man had been for some time, if not since Thursday, without anything to eat or drink, which accounts for his shockingly emaciated condition. Tho door of the shed was locked from within, and there is nothing to show how he got into the shed, but one theory was that he was attacked in the street and ran to the outhouse from his assailant, locking himself in, and then fell with exhaustion and loss of blood.

Fenwick was removed to a prftate hospital, and died this morning. He must have gone through a terrible ordeal. The outhouse in which Fcnwick was found stands at the foot of a flight of steep concrete steps. It is presumed he fell down the steps, and sustained the wounds on the forehead. He lay on his right side for soveral days. Tho wounds are such as could be caused by falling forward on the steps. THE MYSTERY DEEPENS. THE AUTHORITIES RETICENT.

FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, May 3. The mystery surrounding tho death of James Fendick has nnt yet been cleared up; in fact the affair appears to grow more mysterious. The latrine in which deceased was found is at the foot of a flight of concrete steps, and one thoory is that he fell down these steps injuring his head, and then got into the latrine, automatically locked the door and collapsed.

The great reticence of the police, the doctors and all concerned, however, seems to indicate that the accident theory is not considered satisfactory. It appears that the doctor asked deceased if the wound was the result of a blow or a full, and he nodded his ihead, which of course might have meant cither.

The doctor then asked if it was the result of a row in the street, and deceased shook his head.

■ It is alleged that deceased had visited seycral hotels on the night when last seen, and some comrades offered to see him homo. He dcclinod, however, and was not seen again until found yesterday in the outhouse.

The latest information is to the effect tliat a six chambered revolver, with one chamber discharged, was found in the pan of the latrine, and it is alleged deceased said to his brother on the morning before his disappearance, " Oh, I'm going to chuck all this."

The proceedings at the inquest tomorrow will probably be formal, and an adjournment will be asked for, to give the police an opportunity of continuing their investigations. The affair has caused !l painful sensation in town.