MYSTERIOUS DEATH

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 5 March 1935, Page 4

MYSTERIOUS DEATH

body found in harbour CORONER’S OPEN/* VERDICT (By .Telegraph—Ureas Association.) AUCKLAND, March 4. No evidence disclosing the circumstances of death was produced at the inquest held by Mr Wyvern -Wilson, S.M., into the death of John Joseph McMahon, about 45, whose body was found washed up on the western reclamation on December 31. He was a retired waterside worker. Patrick Joseph Quin said McMahon was of frugal and quiet habits. About four years ago he gave up work on the wharf to live on his means. A clerk in the Public Trust Office said that at the time of his death, McMahon possessed securities in local body debentures totalling £1915, and he had also £SBB in the Post Office Savings Bank. “We have here the case of a quiet, well behaved man who went out one afternoon and was never seen again,” said the coroner. “The pathologist says the cause of death was drowning. There was a slight bruising in the vicinity of the eyes and a small quantity of veronal was iu the stomach. “On the evidence Jjefore me, all I can find is that he was found drowned in the Auckland harbour on December 31.”