A MYSTERY SOLVED.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2251, 8 September 1891, Page 3

A MYSTERY SOLVED.

Some weeks ago attention was drawn by the local Press to the disappearance of a man commonly known as " German Charlie," buf whose, real name was Samuel Matter, although he went under the alias of Charles Eyel. He was a fish hawker, and some years ago resided in Temuka, although latterly he has lived at Ashburton. Gn the 29th June he was returning from Timaru to his home, and | being somewhat quarrelsome he was ordered off the train at Temuka. He was seen for a short time in the town, after which he was lost sight of, and his whereabouts remained a mystery in spite of many enquiries made personally by his relatives and also by the police. All doubts as to his fate were solved on Sunday morning, when his body was found in a deep pool in the Temuka river near Mr Meyer's residence —a pool now unhappily notorious as the scene of more than one fatal accident. The body was 'first observed by a lad named John Hay, who resides with his mother at Epworth, who noticed it floating not far from " the willows." He informed Mrs Hay, and then communicated with the police, and under their direction the body was removed to the Star Hotel. It was fully clothed, and, although much distended and partially decomposed, no difficulty was experienced in identifying it.

INQUEST.

The inquest was held at the Courthouse at 10 o'clock, yesterday before C. A. Wray, Esq., Coroner. The following jury were empanelled :—Messrs E. Pilbrow, C. Nicholas, W. Bryant, John'Bill, A. W. Surridge, H. Brosnahan, and Jas. Wilczynski. Mr Pilbrow was chosen foreman.

The Coroner, after a few preliminary remarks, said that the police had made due enquiries into the matter, and that from their communication to him he had not thought it necessary to, order a post mortem examination to be made. If the jury thought it necessary, however, it should be done.

The jury having viewed the body, which was in a very decomposed state, the following evidence was taken:— Henry Lee, sworn, said: I am the licensee of the Crown Hotel, Temuka. I know the deceased by the name of German Charlie. I had not seen him for \twelve years until he came to my house at about a quarter to six one evening atr the latter end of June. He asked for some liquor. He was intoxicated. I did not supply him. He hung about for about half an hour, and subsequently asked for accommodation for the night. I could not give it to him. He went away towards the Eoyal Hotel, and I saw him go into the bar at about half-past six o'clock. That was the last I saw of him. I recognise the body now at the Star Hotel by the shape of the nose. I did not know him by the name of Charles Ryel. He talked rationally enough, but his body swayed about a good deal when he was standing. John Hay, sworn, said : I am the son of Mrs Hay, residing at Epworth. On Sunday I was walking along the bank of the Temuka river looking for a place to fasten a boat. I saw something like a big sack in the water, and when I got close I saw two legs. I went for my brother, James. He said it was a man, and told me to go and get assistance. I saw Mr Newbury and Mr J. Mclnneson the bridge, and they came with me. Mr Newbury turned the body with a stick, and then sent me for the police. It was a very deep hole where the body was found—over a man's depth.

Eugene Bgan said : I am a constable stationed at Temuka. At about 12 o'clock on Sunday I was informed that the body of a man had been found floating in the Temuka river. I went down and found the body now lying, at the Star Hotel in a water-hole in the Temuka river. It was two or three feet from the bank, under the overhanging willows. The face was downwards. It was floating. I took off my boots, and, with the assistance of Mr Carr and Mr Mclnnes, pulled it to the bank, and had it conveyed to where .it now lies. I searched the body. It seemed not to have been disturbed —the clothes were not disarranged, the vest was buttoned, it had a coat on, and a cardigan jacket over the vest. There were no marks of violence 'visible. The body was decomposed. It seemed to have been in the water for a couple of months by its appearance. I searched the body, and found a one-pound note in the vest pocket, two single shillings, three sixpences, and a penny; a silver lever watch in the lefthand pocket, a gold chain and pendant, and a half ticket from Timaru to Ashburton (date illegible). The watch had stopped at nine minutes to eight. I tried it and found it had not run down. " Charles Ryel" is engraved inside the case, and the address "Ashburton, 17/1/90." On the little finger of the right hand was a gold ring of snake pattern. In the coat pocket was a wooden pipe, a knife, and a small key. I did not know the man. The water-hole is very deep, some 14 or 15 feet. It covers a large space. It is not near a track crossing the-river. The river would be about 20 feet wide near this place, which is about 100 yaads from the bridge. It is a backwater from the river. A person getting into it must have wandered into it in the dark. The bank is about 4 feet high, sudden drop. Alfred Crawford, sworn, said; I am a labourer, and step-son of the deceased, whose name is Samuel Matter. He was generally known as Charles Ryel. He lived at Ashburton. I have seen the body, and identify it by the clothes as those worn by the deceased when he was missing on the 29th June. I last saw him on the night of the 28th at his house at Ashburton. He said he would go to Timaru next day by rail on business. He was expected back the same day that he left, the 29th. About a week afterwards, as he did not return we made enquiries. I went to Timaru and found he had been there and had left there the same day to return by the express. I saw a man named Edward Dunn at Timaru, who had shaken hands with deceased on the platform of the train. Found out afterwards that he was put off the train. $ Temuka as he wag quarrelsome,. Also heard he had been at the Crown Hotel. I recognise the watch and chain, seal and ring. The guard of the train told me he had throatoned to" put him off j when at Temuka, When he was in liquor he was given to wandering, and often made mistakes, going in opposite direc-

tions to his home. He had often got over fences and torn his clothes when in that state. From my knowledge of his habits I think it likely that he wandered into the hole by accident. He was a quarrelsome man when in liqnor. He was in no difficulties that would lead him to destroy himself. He was a native of Hungary. His age was .about 48 years. He was in good health when he left. Witness re-called: I have not heard deceased mention any persons in particular that he was acquainted with whom he might be expected to visit. This concluded the evidence, and the jury returned an open verdict of "Found Drowned."