DROWNING FATALITY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 256, 28 September 1932, Page 8

DROWNING FATALITY.

IDENTITY OP VICTIM. (From Our Own Correspondent). FOXTON, Sept. 28. Constable Owen, of Foxton, managed to pick up a clue a 3 to tho identity of the body taken from tho Manawatu River near the Foxton wharf on Sunday, and there seems little doubt that it wilt prove to be that of John Lee, a flaxworker who had been connected with the various nulls throughout the district for many years, and was known as “Jimmy” Lee. About three months ago he called at the whare of Mr J. O’Connell, in Harbour Street. He was carrying a swag and told Mr O’Connell that he was destitute. The latter offered him a bed and gave him a little silver, about 4s. Mr Leo stayed at the whare for some days and told Mr O’Donnell that he was to use his blankets if he went away. He then disappeared and since then has not been back to claim liis swag. Mr O’Connell is quito confident that the body is that of Mr Lee. When the matter was reported to Constable Owen this morning he immediately took steps to recover Lee’s possessions. A cotton lace tied around the neok of a soldier’s kit bag is similar to those in the boots taken from the body, and Mr O’Connell’s description of his former temporary lodger coincides in every respect regarding dress to the description of tho clothes on the body. Mr W. Neville (waterworks foreman) and his gang of relief workers recollect Mr Lee being in the vicinity between two and three months ago. lie passed them while at work on the council’s proporty bounding the river bank almost daily on his way to and from Mr O’Connell’s whare to town. Their description tallies with the clothes taken from the body. Papers taken from the swag show that the belongings were those of John Lee, who had been engaged on public works in the Gisborne and Wairoa districts until recently. His lugggge was consigned to Shannon on August loth and it was shortly after that he came to Foxton.