A CASE OF SUICIDE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 125, 17 November 1911, Page 4

A CASE OF SUICIDE.

NED SKIPPER'S BODY FOUND. The mystery attached during the lust few weeks to the disappearance of the well-known native, Ned Skipper, was cleared up by the discovery yesterday of his body hanging from a tree in a dense and almost inaccessible piece of bush on Mr. Arthur Locke's farm about a mile and a half from Smart road.

The gruesome discovery was made about 8 o'clock yesterday afternoon by a lad named Bishop and another lad, both of whom are employed by Mr. Arthur Locke. They were walking along a track when a strong odor caused them to investigate, with the result thai! the\ saw the body hanging. The police were immediately informed, and Sergeant, Dart and Constables Egan and Boulton proceeded to the scene, and, with, the assistance of Mr. Locke and others, removed the body to deceased's own residence on the adjoining farm. In order to remove the body, which was very much decomposed, it was necessary to cut a track through the undergrowth. The clothing leaves, no doubt that tin; hotly is that of Ned Skipper. The locality where the discovery was made is close to a potato patch on Mr. Locke's "property that deceased had been cultivating for himself. In the previous searchings Sergeant Dart, the police, Mr. Locke and others must have passed within a few yards of the spot. Tin? body was suspended by a piece of plough iron, the loose end of which had been methodically coiled up and placed on the limb above, along with deceased's cap. On the ground was the gun which, it will be remembered, Skipper borrowed from Mr. Locke. It was unloaded, but in the pocket of a Cardigan jacket near by was a cartridge. It will be remembered that deceased was last seen about midnight on Wednesday, October 11, at a native dance at Rtzroy, by Constable Boulton, and it is considered that the rash act must have, been committed the following morning. It was alleged that he had been worrying because he was likely to be summoned in connection with a case of being on licensed premises on a previous Sunday. When last seen by Constable Boulton he appeared fairly cheerful, and discussed the case It is also understood that a question of some person succeeding to a portion of his farm was also worrying him. An inquest will be held at 11 o'elock this morning. Sergeant Dart expressed appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. Arthur Locke during the search for deceased and' the recovery of the bod v.