OLD MAN’S DEATH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9474, 6 March 1922, Page 4

OLD MAN’S DEATH.

BODY NOT IDENTIFIED. The adjourned inquest into the circumstances attending the death of an unknown old man, who was found on February 9 in a whare on Mr Daniel McKenclry’s property on the Lyndhurst road, was resumed before Mr James Cow, District Coroner, at the Ashburton Courthouse to-day. Evidence was given by Constable A. Orchard, of Methven,. that on February 10 he saw the dead body of a man lying with his feet towards the door on a bqnk in a hut on Mr MeKendry’s property. From all appearances the old man had died in his sleep. The deceased was lying on the broad of biß back with his body and head in a natural position. There were no indications whatever of foul play or a struggle. Owing to the state of the body, no examination, external or internal, was i possible. Witness had made all possible inquiries, but had been unable to get the body identified. Witness considered the old man was a swagger, ,s. i- , Senior-Sergeant Jackson stated that he had made special inquiries at Bealey Flat, Darfiield, Coalgate, Rakaia, Methven and Ashburton and had inserted a notice in the Police Gazette asking for special inquiries, but the police had been, unable to throw any light on the master. , , ,-t verdict was returned that the body of the man appeared to ha that of a man between 60 and7o years of age of small stature. The deceased was a swagger , who had apparently turned into the hut for a night s lodging and had died in his sleep.