BODY FOUND AT OXFORD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7484, 25 February 1885, Page 2

BODY FOUND AT OXFORD.

The«reniains of a young woman, named Helensage, were found on Feb. 15, about noon, on Mrs Perham's farm, West Oxford. Deceased, who had been ailing for sometime previously, had gone to make a short stay with Mrs Perham for a change, and on Jan. 16. left Mrs.Perham's house without being noticed, or giving any intimation of her in- | tention. It was thought that she had returned. to her sister who resides at I Oxford, but on enquiries being made it was r j found she had,not done so. A search, party' was therefore'.organised, and the bed of, | the river Eyre searched, but without suc*'| cess. It was .rumoured Miss Sage had been seen at-Malvern, and as she had some money in her. possession, it was thought by; many that the deceased'had left the district. However, on Sunday last, when Mrs Perham's eldest son was walking about the farm,-he was-attracted by a strong smell, and in searchingVfor'/the cause discovered the body, about six chains from the. buildings.:" ~lnforniation was immediately sent to the'/p'oKce,,who had the body re-' moved to the-Commercial Hotel, where an. inquest washeld r biiiTuesday, before Mr C.c Whitefoord, Corqner of the district, and a' jury, of wnoinMr Ck A.':Wriitewas chosen foreman. < ! • ■<&*'" 'Perham deposed that she had known deceased for" about six months. On Jan. 14 came to her, place. While staying there deceased seemed to be

,inuch averse jto society, most sluplU 'sleepy. Was about 25 years of age left her place on Jan. 16 about half-pi at night. When missed, search was i for about an hour, and not finding ;'jntnes"s was under the impression thai ceased had gone to her sister's, who re: in Oxford. Sent her son to see if she there, and finding she was not there municated that night with the police.. Thomas Perham, son of the former wife corroborated his mother's evidence, also gave evidence as to the finding of body and its position when found. Serg Scott deposed that' he knew the deces About six weeks previous to her b missing, her brother-in-law, Hennessy, reported the girl's absence. Search then made, and she was found in a g bush not far from the house. On ano occasion witness met her about 11 at n without any hat or stockings on, and her home. When last reported, mis search was made by the police for a w with the assistance of a number of residents. All water holes were dragi but without success. Dr Weld-gave dence to the effect that he had made a ] mortem examination of the body, but fo it too much decomposed to be able ascertain the cause of death. Conclu it was caused by exposure". A verdict returned to the effect that deceased < by exposure.