Circumstances of Death Not Indicated

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 53, 5 March 1935, Page 6

Circumstances of Death Not Indicated

RETIRED WATERSIDER WITH MEANS

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night

No evidence disclosing tho circumstances of death was produced at au inquest held by Mr. Wyvcrn Wilson, 8.M., Coroner, intp the deat'n of John Joseph McMahon, about 45, whose body was found washed up on the Western Reclamation on December 31. Deceased was a retired waterside worker.

Patrick Joseph Quin said deceased was of frugal and quiet habits. About four years ago ho gave up> work on the wharf to live ou his means. A clerk in the Public Trust Office said that at the time of his death deceased possessed securities in local body debentures totalling £1915 and he had also £SSB in the Post Oflice Savings Bank.

“We have here the case of a quiet, well-behaved man, who went out one afternoon and was never seen again,” said the Coroner. “Tho pathologist says the cause of death was drowning. There was a slight bruising in the vicinity of the eyes and a small quantity of a drug was in the stomach. On the evidence before me, all I can find is that deceased was found drowned in Auckland harbour on December 31.