TE AROHA. [FROM OWR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Tk Aroha, Wednesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2205, 26 August 1886, Page 3

TE AROHA. [FROM OWR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Tk Aroha, Wednesday.

Wednesday. An inquest wan held yesterday in the court-house by Mr Win. Haddow, J.P., coroner, and a jury of six, on the body of the man found in the river at Shaftedry on Sunday last. Mark Bemrose, gardener, and Martin Morgan, labourer, both of Shaftesbnry, deposed to the finding of the body. Edward Finlay, labourer, To Arona, gave evidence as follows :—Havo seen the body now lying at the Palace. Hotel. Recognise it as that of a man named Arthur Webster. Saw him last in Te Aroha about ai\ week* ago. He came on a Friday and left the following Tnesduy. I was an intimate friend of his. He told me he was going to the Thames to see his father, and try to get work. Deceased wan ft labourer, and had been workiiigat various places. He was somewhat eccentric, but was of very temperate habits. Knew hi* f.ither, who resides at the Thames, and is a carpenter there. His mother keeps a boarding-house in Upper Queen-street, Auckland. lam quite certain deceased is Arthur Webster. Recognise reel of cotton and knife (articles found on body and produced at the inquest) having seen them in deceased's possession when he was last at Te Aroha. Ha carried a swag made up in a bag tied with flax. Had on a light tweed coat, M>ft felt hat, moleskin trousers and water-tight boots. Sergeant Emerson deposed: On searching 1 clothes of^deceased, found three shillings in silver, a reel of cotton, knife, pipe, matchbox and sharpening stone, also a ring of ■llrer or tin. Had examined the body in company with Constable White, to see if it bore any marks of violence, but could find none. From appearance it seemed to have been two or three weeks in the water. Frank McDevitt, labourer, Te Aroha, stated that ho was working about ft month ago on the Shaftesburv road near Mr Gage Brown's farm. A man came along and enquired if hecould cross higher up. Told him I behoved there was a crossing higher up but it was dangerous. Advised him to inquire of some of tha settlers. He said he had inquired at Mr Roche's place and was told he could cross high?r up> He had a «wtig with him and was looking for work. The swag was made up in a bag with flax straps. Supposed his age to bo from 30 to .». He w»m about 5 feet i) inche< in height strongly built and had dark hair and beard. Had on a ci imean -4iirt and mole«kin ♦*"""." "- He remained about five minutes and then went on up the river. This was about 11 o'clock in the forenoon. Have seen the body lying at the Palace. Hotel. Believe it to be the same person from the height and the colour of the beard. J After a brief consultation the jury gave the following verdict "Found drowned, but there was nothing in the evidence to show that death had occurred otherwise than accidentally. The body supposed to be that of the man named Arthur Webster.