DROWNING MYSTERY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1938, Page 7

DROWNING MYSTERY

BODY OF ELDERLY MAN FOUND ON BEACH POLICE INVESTIGATIONS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 24. Mystery surrounds the death of an elderly man, Mr Thomas Withey, whose body was found on the beach at Okahu Bay, Orakei, this morning. Although he was apparently drowned and there were no signs of violence on the body, there were indications of bleeding from the eyes, nose and mouth. Detectives took charge of the inquiry, and the group on'the beach attracted hundreds of people travelling from the city. Although the police are inclined to the belief that the cause of death was drowning, the presence of the blood was puzzling. However, there were no signs of violent death. The identity of the body was discovered by a detective making the round of board-ing-houses in the city. At an inquest, formally opened by Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., coroner, the proprietress of an apartment-house said that the deceased, who was aged about 58, recently stopped at her place. She last saw him on Monday, when he was in good health and spirits. He said he was leaving that day. The only work he apparently did was to fill match-vending machines' in the city. Mr Hunt adjourned the inquest and ordered a post-mortem examination. The police have no clues as to the deceased’s relatives.