Youth Not Drowned In Waimakariri

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31597, 7 February 1968, Page 12

Youth Not Drowned In Waimakariri

(New Zealand Preet Association)

HAMILTON, February 5.

A youth believed to have been drowned during a canoe trip down the Waimakariri River last year appeared in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court today on two charges of being in possession of unregistered firearms.

The youth, David Frederick, Farquharson, aged 20, formerly of Spencerville, near Christchurch, pleaded guilty to both charges before Mr T. B. Mooney, S.M. He was fined $25 on each charge and was ordered to forfeit the weapons, two Smith and Wesson .32 revolvers, to the Crown. Sergeant L Paterson said that on August 27 last year Farquharson told his sister that he was going for a trip down the Waimakariri River by canoe. He was not seen again, and a full-scale search was made for him after his disappearance was reported to the police. Farquharson’s canoe, life jacket and broken oars were

found at the mouth of the river, and it had appeared he had a boating accident, said Sergeant Paterson. C.LB. investigations were made in Christchurch; in Farquharson's room notes were found to his father saying that when he was gone, meaning dead, his personal property was to be divided among his family. The revolvers, which were not in working order, were also found in his room.

Further investigations revealed that Farquharson, under the name of Jones, had gone to Australia. He had later returned to New Zealand, but had denied “setting up” the canoe at the mouth of the river. However, inquiries had revealed he was responsible.