Skeleton’s Identity Traced From Badge

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31902, 1 February 1969, Page 42

Skeleton’s Identity Traced From Badge

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 31. A skeleton found in the hills near Silverstream Hospital last April 21 was identified at an inquest in Lower Hutt today.

The Coroner (Mr J. Meltzer) found that Henry Coventry, aged 78, died on or about March 17, 1950, on the hills above Silverstream. “It is impossible to find the cause of death, his skeleton having been found some 18 years after his disappearance from the Silverstream Hospital,” the Coroner said. Constable J. F. O’Conner said he went to the place where the skeleton had been discovered. It was lying on its left side in a curled-up position, like a person sleeping. A wallet found near the skeleton was later analysed by the D.S.I.R. and a metal clip, with 49 on it, and an R.S.A. badge was found in it.

Inquiries revealed that Henry Coventry was a mem-

ber of the Wellington R.S.A. between 1948 and 1950. The director of pathology for the Wellington Hospital Board (Dr J. O. Mercer) said that after examining the skeleton and hospital records, he was convinced it was that of Henry Coventry. There had been an unusual and distinctive skull fracture, he said. Dr I. M. MacGregor, medical superintendent of Silverstream Hospital, said Henry Coventry was a pensioner who lived in Wellington. He was born in the United Kingdom. On February 25, 1950, he was admitted to Wellington Hospital with a fractured skull. He was transferred to Silverstream Hospital on March 16, and on March 17 he disappeared.