MYSTERY SOLVED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 11

MYSTERY SOLVED

Remains of Farmer Found After Nearly 11 Years Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, February 6. Traces of human ■ remains were found when scrub and light bush were being burned off at Kai Iwi, and investigations disclosed that they were those of a farmer who was lost in 1924. Charles James, who formerly farmed at Kai Iwi, disappeared, in November, 1924, and although a very diligent Search was made, no trace of him was found. He was then aged 55, and the discovery solves a mystery nearly eleven years old. At an inquest to-day, George Kenneth James, son of deceased, gave evidence that his father was missed at G. 30 p.m. on November 4, 1924. He identified slippers, gold-filled upper teeth, a belt, pocket knife, and a pine! nez found with the skeleton as those of his father. A farm labourer told of the discovery of a shoe with small bones in it, and of a search in a muddy swamp whieli disclosed the skeleton. Constable W. Rogers said that most of the skeleton was buried in mud. The coroner, Mr. S. M. Dixon, J.P.. returned a verdict that deceased died at Kai Iwi on or about November 4, 1924, there being no evidence to disclose the cause of death.