UNSOLVED PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 13

UNSOLVED PROBLEM

BODY ON BEACH

VERDICT AT INQUEST

A number of theories were advanced at an inquest today to explain the manner in which an elderly retired man, Robert Dixon, after a successful day at Trentham races on July 7, met his death by drowning at Kaiwarra within twelve hours of leaving the course.

A wood-gatherer on the morning of July 8 found the body of Mr. Dixcn lying face downwards at high water mark on the beach about 100 yards from Kaiwarra Railway Station. Theories were offered that the deceased may have fallen from' a race train, that he had got off at the wrong station, and, losing his way in the dark, had dropped unconscious or fallen over the embankment with the result that he had been caught while in a state of coma by the tide. Alternatively it was suggested that losing his direction in the dark the deceased may actually have gone into the sea. The Coroner, Mr. E. Gilbertson, did not find the evidence in favour of any of the theories sufficiently strong for him to exclude the other explanations advanced, and he returned a verdict that the deceased was found drowned on the beach at Kaiwarra on July 8, there being no evidence as to how the body reached the sea.

Evidence as- to' the finding of the body was given by James Flaws and by Robert Newton, company manager, who was called to the. scene by Flaws. Asked whether there was any possibility that the deceased had fallen from a train, Mr. Newton said that it was quite possible, although he was inclined to think that as the body was lying some 12ft from the line, the deceased had fallen over the embankment in the dark. The body was lying a short distance from the Rowing Club shed not very far from the train line and 100 yards from the Kaiwarra Station. The body would be covered by the high tide.

Albert William Ledbrook, fireman, said that he had known the deceased for the past ten or twelve years. At about 1 p.m. on July 7 he met Dixon at Trentham racecourse, and he saw him after each race. - The deceased" had been successful with his speculating, and told him, after the fourth race, that he had "collected on every race so far." The last time the witness saw the deceased was just before the last race. The deceased had had something to drink, but was not intoxicated. His speech, at the time was slightly confused. IN GOOD HEALTH. Mrs. Carmen Tidswell said that the deceased had stayed at her house for the past year. He always seemed to be in good health, and did not drink, nor was he ever depressed. He had never spoken of suicide. The deceased left at 8.30 on the morning of July 7 to go to Trentham races. Other evidence was given of the deceased's pleasant disposition. Constable E. J. Brownie said that the position* of the body, indicated to him the possibility that the deceased had got out of the race train at. the wrong stop, tripped over the .signal wires, and as a result of his fall had gone right over the embankment, where the tide had caught him. He did not think that the deceased could have fallen from the train. Possibly the deceased got off the. race train by mistake when it stopped a short distance out of the station, and went astray when walking to the platform. Although there were abrasions on the face, there were no marks of violence. A gold ring, the sum of £5 2s 8d in cash, a watch and chain, and other sundries were found on the deceased.l

Dr. Philip P. Lynch, consulting pathologist to Wellington Hospital, gave evidence as to his post-mortem examination. Death was due to drowning. If the deceased had fallen from a train, even if it were stationary, the body would have shown bruises or other marks of violence. There was no evidence of alcohol, and witness was of the opinion that the confused speech mentioned may have been due to the condition of the brain. The deceased might have dropped temporarily unconscious. Senior-Sergeant O'Neill: And while he was lying in a state of coma the tide may have come up and drowned him? Witness: Yes. Senior-Sergeant O'Neill: In the dark, might he have walked into the water? Witness: It is possible, but I don't think it likely.