THE WECkER OF THE PENGUIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXiX, Issue 7727, 22 February 1909, Page 2

THE WECkER OF THE PENGUIN.

A DOUBTFUL IDENTIFICATION.

Per Press Association,

WELLINGTON, February 20. There seems to be a doubt in the identification of the body recovered yesterday. The deceased was between twenty-five and thirty-five years or age, and a discharge was found in the pocket bearing the name of George Cooper, seaman, formerly belonging to the steamer Komata. Cooper's name did not appeal amongst the list of the vessel's crew, and it is thought possible that the discharge may not be his. The body is that of a man sft lOin in height, of medium build, with dark brown hair, short nose, pointed chin and irregular teeth. It is dressed in a dark cloth coat with slit side pockets, no waistcoat, and dark tweed trousers. WELLINGTON, February 21. A very heavy southerly wind, with a rough, sea, was blowing to-day at the scene of the Penguin wreck. , This afternoon another body, identified as that of Noel White, a passenger from Blenheim, came ashore two miles on the city side of Oteranga Bay. The body recovered yesterday has been identified as that of' Edwin Herbert Hall, 6econd cook in the Penguin. His father resides at Hope, in_ the Nelson district. The remains will be interred in Wellington. . . The body picked up on Friday, and stated to be that of George Cooke, is now stated by the police to be that of Kotherham' Cooke, aged 20, a son of Mr Cooke, solicitor, Wanganui, where the remains are being sent for burial. The relief fund now amounts to over £1100. A benefit matinee of " The Red Mill" yesterday, by the Williamson Opera Comnany, brought in nearly £300.