Found Drowned.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372904, 26 October 1917, Page 3

Found Drowned.

BODY UNIDENTIFIED. \ An inquest was held by Mr W. G. K. Kenrick, District Coroner, yesterday morning on the body of the unknown man found in the Manawatu River last Saturday, October 20th. Wilfred Poole, a lad of 15, gave evideee that on the date mentioned at about 3.30 p.m., he, accompanied by two other lads, was walking along the bank of the Manawatu River, and on nearing the groyne on Mr Joughin’s property, saw an arm sticking out of the water amongst the driftwood that was washed against the groyne. Witness reported the discovery to a man, who communicated with the police. Witness remained until the police, arrived and the body was taken out of the water. Constable G. Gove stated that ho aiwl Constable Andrews found the body held fast, in some driftwood in fairly deep water. They removed the body to the morgue, where they stripped it and examined It. It appeared to have been in the water for about two months, and the features were unrecognisable. There were no marks of violence on the body, and nothing was found in the peckers of the clothing. On the following day a further examination was made, but there was nothing whatever about the body or the clothes that would lead to identification. On the day the body was found the river was three feet above normal, and the body had probably been washed down the river. Aumerous "people passed along this portion of the river bank, and the body would have been seen before had it been there for any time. Notices had been circulated throughout, the Dominion. The Coroner formally adjourned t!'.c in quest until November 3rd, with the view to allowing time to, if possible, get information that would lead to identification of the body.