The Rabbit Island Skeleton.

REMAINS OF A WOMAN AND CHILD. When the human remains discovered on the Babbit Island by Mr Mark Grossi on the 7th December were carefully examined by a medical man, they were found to be the fairly complete skeletons of a woman and child. Full particulars on this point are given in the report of the inquest held yesterday afternoon, which follows. Naturally, there is considerable conjecture as to who the persons were whose bones have been discovered after so considerable a period since they found a resting place where found. The two witnesses examined on the point stated that the remains were found within about 150 yards of high-water mark, but others who were present consider the distance to be much farther, even as far as a quarter of a mile being stated. The general opinion of those who saw the remains on the spot where found is that the bodies had been placed, as the skeletons were extended^. By some it has been thought that the remains may have been those of members of a party coming from the Croixelles about 27 years ago, who were capsized near the Lighthouse, but this cannot have been the case. Some of the old identities speak of a whole family of the name of Morgan having been drowned over 50 years ago while proceeding to Motueka, and it is stated that those bodies recovered were buried on the island. The party is said to have included a married daughter, a daughter-in-law, and children. We have not been able to verify the story, but, if it is a fact that these persons were buried on the island, there is nothing improbable in their having been so well preserved in the sand, of which the island is solely composed. The strong winds effect much greater changes on these sandhills than the removing of a sufficient depth of sand to expose the skeletons, even had they been deeply buried. The inquest was held at the Courthouse at two o'clock yesterday, before Mr Robinson, Coroner, and the following jury : - Messrs W, Moyes, juo. (foreman), Morgan O'Brien, J. Lock, T. Newman, and F. Healy. The, Coroner stated that shortly after the bones had been brought to the Port by the police, he was inspecting, the same, when Dr Roberts happened to be passing, and he called the doctor in. From the cursory examination then made, the doctor stated his opinion that they were the bones of two persons. He (the Coroner) then instructed Dr Roberts to make a proper examination, and the matter having been made public through the Press, he had allowed matters to remain in the hope that the publicity given would have the result of some information being afforded to lead to identification ; however, he was sorry to say, that no such identification had been forthcoming. Sergt Mackay then called the following evidence : — • Mark Grossi, fisherman, stated : On Wed nesday, 7th December, I was fishing off the Rabbit Island with George Westrupp. We landed, and I went looking for gulls' eggs, leaving the usual track to do so. From the top of a sandhill I noticed the bones, and going np to them I found the frame, the ribs, in position, but all clogged up with sand. I touched the ribs to see if the frame was firm, when the bones fell apart. In my opinion the bones had not the appearance of having been buried, more likely to have been lying on the surface, and the sand drifted over them. I told my mate of what I found, and he advised my reporting same to the police, which was done through Mr Sorcenelli. On the Sunday following I accompanied the police, and pointed out the bones, which were lying some distance back from the sea. By the Jury: I should judge the bones were 150 yards from high water mark. The island has been making very rapidly from the sea side of late years. Dr Robsrts stated: I examined the bones in question and found they comprised parts of two hucnan skeletons an adult and a child. Some of the bones of each skeleton were missing. The evidence as to whether the bones of the adult were those 6t a male or female was rather meagre, but I feel able to say that they are those of an adult female, certainly over the age of 26 by the indications. The height would be about five feet three or four inches. There j were not any indications shown by the bones of any violence having been used to the person. There was a large piece missing from the skull and the greater part of the lower j*w also is wanting. It is impossible to say whether any of this was due j to violence. Several teeth are still in the jaw, and the fact of these being ground down somewhat might indicate the person to be ten years over the age stated. The skull of the child was altogether missing, and it was not possible to ascertain the sex, but from the ossification of the bones I should say the age would be from nine years to 11 or 12 years, not more than that. From the sandy mture of the soil where found, and the appearances I should say the bone 3 had lain not less than twenty years, Sergeant Mackay gave evidence of collecting the bones and conveying them to Nelson The spot where the bones jay was about 150 yards above high-water mark. The skeleton was extended, the lower portion embedded in the sand. The ground round about was dug np, but no trace of clothing, coffin, or any other thing was discovered. He had made enquiries, but had not been able to obtain any reliable information as to what persons these banes may have belonged to. An open verdict was recorded. The remains will be buried in consecrated ground. The Rabbit Ismnd Skeletons.—Regarding Mr Kingley's letter of Saturday last, Mr Robert Burn, of this City, informs us that shortly after the drowning of the Morgan family the Hon J. W. Barnicoat was surveying the Rabbit Island, Mr Burn acting as his assistant. Mr Burn found the first of the remains on the beach, being part of a man's leg from the knee down, with boot and stocking still on. Then a considerable number of bones, some olean and 'some with flesh still adhering, were found, and the whole were gathered together and buried. Mr Burn states that he believes they thus recovered the greater part of the remains of the father, mother and daughter. The daughter was coming to Nelson to be married at the time of the occurrence. The particulars were entered up in Mr Barmcoot's field book. No doubt that gentleman will be able to substantiate what has been stated.