DROWNING OF MR W. MITCHELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 147, 24 June 1898, Page 5

DROWNING OF MR W. MITCHELL.

The body of Mr William. Mitchell, formerly a journalist and a 'Hansard' reporter, was found floating- in the Avon dale River, on the beach near Pollen's Bush, yesterday, by Mr 11. Hoffmann, a settler. The body was identified by means of letters in the pockets. Constable Browne, of Avondale, had the body removed to the Avondale Hotel, where an inquest was proceeding' this afternoon. The Auckland police were notified late yesterday afternoon, and mounted constables Eccles and Moffatt went out to Avondale, and identified the body as that of the late Mr Mitchell. The deceased lodged at Ellesinere House, and left that place on Wednesday after breakfast and did not return. He was in the habit of taking- a walk down the wharf, and it is supposed that ou the night of the easterly g-ale he fell or was blown over the wharf and drowned. There were no marks of violence on the. body, which the tide drifted up to the, spot where it was found. Mr Mitchell leaves three niar-7-ied daughters, two of whom reside in Auckland. He was a native of the North of Ireland, and came to Auckland over thirty years ag-o and joined the reporting- staff; of the 'Southern Cross.' Afterwards he joined the 'Hansard' staff afc Wellington, and was private secretary to Sir George Grey during- the Grey administration. After leaving- the 'Hansard' staff he became a House Committee reporter. He had lived in Auckland for two or three years past.

A pocket-book belonging to the deceased was found last evening on Shelly Beach, Ponsonby.