THE OTAGO CENTRAL FATALITY.

TO THE EDITOB.'

Sir,—The Messrs Cummock jave three reasons why they failed to identify the body found on Excursion Day as that of their father • they might have added a fourth and chief reason. 1. The foreman of the jury, Mr Neill, in viewing the body, drew attention to the fact tnat the top joint of the middle finger of the right hand was missing, and this largely determined fche jury in their fiudiug. 2. The head of the deceased was what is understood as bald, a small tuft of hair only remaining far back on the very crown. / 3-Ths evidence showed that the deceased (J. Cummock) had two paira of boots, those found on the body being water-tight Balmorals. So far I have answered the serious charges brought against the jury (disinterested parties) by those interested (?). Now for the evidence or the chief witness. B. M'lvor, an intimate friend of the missing J. Cummock, identified the body by the shirt, trousers, jaclM, andwiV. Surely this was sufficient. Even G. Cummock, when cross-examined by Constable O'Brien, admitted that the jacket found on the body was of the same material as that worn by his father when he last saw him, six weeks before he went amissing. The unanimity of the jury was further strengthened by the coroner, Mr G. W. Pogson, complimenting them on their decision. I think any unbiased jury could come to no other decision than that arrived at; so that if any blunder has been perpetrated it cannot be sheeted home to the jury, of whom I am November 4. One.