INQUEST AT FOXTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 29, 5 January 1931, Page 8

INQUEST AT FOXTON

BODY WASHED UP.

NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Jan. 5. An inquiry into the circumstances connected with the death of the personw body was found on the river bank Foxton on Saturday afternoon was held in the Court House this morning before mr M. E. I’erreau, J.P., and a jury consisting of Messrs A. Walls. H. Hamer, Martin and H. Coley. . W. Syinonds, a labourer, in evidence said that on Saturday afternoon at about 2.30 he visited the river to attend bis boat. When walking along the bank ho saw the body of a fully clothed ma. which had evidently been washed up y the tide. The body had apparently been in fhe water some time and had just come ashore. Marin Gojak, a boardinghouse-keeper, of Auckland, said that ho inspected a suitcase at Palmerston North this morning containing articles of clothing, including a suit, which witness had seen deceased wearing previously. A tag on the suitcase bore the name FI. Larsen. Witness identified the luggage as belonging to deceased. Witness also testified as to having identified the body as that of Herbert Larsen, a single man, aged 60 years. Witness had known deceased for three years, for the greater part of which deceased had stayed with witness. Deceased did not appear to have any occupation, but sometimes went away to Wellington. Witness lalt saw deceased alive three weeks before Christmas, when ho said he was going to Wellington and would be returning in February. Deceased had no relatives in New Zealand. To the Bench witness said deceased was a quiet and peaceful man who was of perfectly sober habits and had no enemies. He did wot mix with anyone at any time. He had never spoken of suicide and witness would never take him to be a man who would do away with himself. Dr E. M. Wylie gave evidence to the effect that Larsen mot his death by drowning. There were no marks on the body indicative of violence, all the bones were intact, and there was no trace of poison having been taken. In his opinion the condition of the body was consistent with that of drowning. The Court found that the body was that of Herbert Larsen and that he was found drowned in the Manawatu River. The evidence had convinced the Court that thero had not been any foul play.