BODY IN HARBOUR.

Northern Advocate, 4 February 1928, Page 8

BODY IN HARBOUR.

FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED.

REMAINS BADLY BATTERED.

CHRISTCHURCH, This DSv. The body of a believed to be Charles James Mahan, of Nile Street, Timaru, was found in Lyttelton Harbour, off Gladstone Pier, early this morning. It was badly battered, and foul play is suspected. Mahon was a stock buyer by occupation.

Mahon’s body was fully dressed and in the pockets' were a motor ‘driver’s license and insurance policy, but only threepence in cash. There were deep wounds on the nose, chin and back of the head . He was seen alive last night at eight o’clock by gome boys, being then near the Gladstone Pier and remarked' be was catching a train back to Christ* church. i

police: theory;

ROBBERY THE MOTIVE.

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. \ When Mahan’s body was discovered 1 ' by Samuel Gilray, a nightwatchmaii, blood was still gushing from the head, and his coat and shirt were saturated. • ■ t - ■■■

The police believe that, - robbery was the motive of the crime and that it was committed late last evening. Mahan was aged about 55 years;— Press Assn.

INQUEST OPENS,

ABSENCE MAKES SON ANXIOUS,

COMMENCES A SEARCH;

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day, When the’'inquest opened, Charles Ludlow Mahon, identified the body as that of his father. He had last seen him alive on Tuesday at 1 p.tn. at Timaru, where he was a motor driver employed by the Alpine Dairy Company. His father was then in his usual health. —'>y% N On Tuesday he received a from his father an Christchurch, ing that he would be home on Wednes* day. Ho did not return, but sent his wife’s bank book home to Timatu. Witness became anxious and came to Christchurch last evening to try to locate his father.

The inquest was adjourned sine die.—Press Assn.