A STRANGER'S DEATH.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXX, Issue 2, 4 July 1913, Page 5

A STRANGER'S DEATH.

DROWNED NEAR BALCLUTHA. About a quarter to three yesterday afternoon one of Mr J. Craig's daughters saw a man floating in the river near the willows about half a mile down the Finegand road. His nose was then bleeding, but on being brought ashore efforts to resuscitate him failed, and it was evident that death had occurred only a short time previously. Immediately on receiving word Constable Harvey went to the spot, and on searching the body found no other traces of the man's identity than the name "W. Bailey" on his collar. Nobody was then able to identify the deceased. He was a slim-built man, height about sft 7in, fair complexion, with brown moustache, and wore a dark blue suit. His age could be reckoned at between 30 and 40. There were no marks of injury on the body. A search in the deceased's clothes for papers elicited nothing, but about half a mile further down the road there were found some torn-up papers. These on being put together revealed that they were in connection with the Moa Flat dredge, and the name, "W. Bailey," was written on them. There were also photographs, showing a strong resemblance to the drowned man without his moustache, and on the back "W. Bailey" was written. It was evident that the man had not been long in the water. Yesterday morning a person of his description was seen walking down the Finegand road, and between one and two o'clock in the afternoon was noticed returning in the direction of Balclutha. I T p to the time of going to press no further identification could be elicited. An inquest will be held this evening.