AFTER SIX MONTHS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1882, 5 August 1920, Page 5

AFTER SIX MONTHS.

BODY OF MR P. A. GILLIES FOUND

IN RIVER

A body discovered in the Manawatu river yesterday has been identified as that of Mr Percy Archibald Gillies, who disappeared on February 25 ■ last. The deceased was a married man, 48 years of age, and leaves a widow and family of twe —a son and a daughter, botli in their early ’teens. For many years the late Mr Gillies was a farmer in the Otaki district, but meeting with an accident resulting in a broken ankle, he was forced to abandon farming pursuits and came to live in Palmerston North.' From the effects of the accident Mr Gillies had never properly recovered. The deceased gentleman was widely respected and loved by his friends.

For some days prior to February 25 ho had been staying with a Mr Hume, of Tokomaru, and on that date Mr Hume motored him in to Palmerston North. Mr Gillies alighted at the Bank of Now Zealand corner, and bidding adieu to bis friend went off on foot. When last seen alive ho was walking down Fitzhorbert street. As Air Gillies failed to return to his home in Russell street, surprise gave way to alarm in the minds of his family and friends. Searching enquiries wore instituted without avail and eventually a substantial reward

was offered for any clue to his whereabouts, dead or alive.

Months passed and the affair resolved it self into an apparent mystery. Yesterday, after the lapse of nearly six months, the mystery, however, was solved. At 11 a.rn. Air C. T. Keeble, of Fitzhorbert, and an

employee named E. C. Edmonds, were working on a portion of (he. former’s property facing the river front, when they noticed the body of a man held fast ifi some driftwood. The police wore communicated with and Constable Gow proceeded to the spot and removed the body to the morgue. Decomposition had reached so advanced a stage that identification from the features was impossible, hut definite clues have been obtained from tho clothing that indubitably prove the body to be that of the late Mr Gillies. An overcoat was found near the body and written on the maker’s tag in indelible ink wore the words,

“I 1 . Gillies, Otaki.” After his accident, Mr Gillies had found it necessary to cut his right boot in order to obtain greater freedom for his disabled ankle, and in this lies a conclusive clue. The right boot found on the body was cut in an exactly similar manner to that which Mr Gillies was wearing at the time of his disappearance. Mr Hugh Gillies, of Rangitikci line, an uncle of deceased, and Air E. Palmer, who was a close friend of many years standing,

ave seen the body and agree that it is tat of the unfortunate Air P. Gillies.

An inquest was opened by Air A, J. Graham, J.P., Coroner, this morning and adjourned until 9.30 o’clock to-morrow morning when the complete hearing of evidence will be taken.