“FOUND DROWNED”

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1928, Page 4

“FOUND DROWNED”

HATTON TRAGEDY VERDICT.

OLD AND DESTITUTE

The inquest into the demise of Walter Hatton, aged 72 years, who was found drowned in a tidal creek near Whangarei yesterday afternoon, opened at the Whangarei Courthouse this morning, before Mr H. N. Geissler, J.P., acting coroner, and a jury comprising Messrs F. .T. Howie (foreman), E. Pearce, P. J. Tierney and G. H. Shilton.

Marina Glncina said that on June 29, 1927, deceased called at his boardinghouse and gave his name as Walter Hatton. He had paid for throe months’ board, but otherwise was apparently destitute. Since the date named he had been constantly staying at the boardinghouse. At 6 p.m. o*i Sunday last he left for his usual walk, and on the following morning w r as absent from his room. The matter was reported to the police. The last witness heard of deceased was that he was seen opposite the post office at 8.30 on Sunday evening. Deceased was not despondent, and had not at any time suggested doing away with himself. Although fond of smoking, deceased was too poor to buy tobacco. When witness approached him for back rent, deceased said he was expecting money from the, sale of property at Helensville. Deceased was single, and a sister w-as the only living relative. Ho was a man of sober habits. Every day he used to sit on one of the seats fronting the town wharf. While walking along the side of Duck Creek, about 12.15 p.m. yesterday, Oliver Barton discovered a body lying on the mudbank, surrounded" by water, and ot once reported the matter to the police. He had previously seen deceased about Whangarei, but did not know his name.

At 12.20 o’clock yesterday afternoon Constable E. W. Beasley 4 received a telephonic, message of .Barton’s discovery. On arrival at the tidal creek he found the dead body lying face' downwards in the mud, within half a mile of the Whangarei town wharf. The body was removed to the morgue, and on investigation no marks of violence wer6 found. After deceased was reported missing, witness, in company with Mr Glucdna, inspected his but found nothing to establish identity. Deceased owed a considerable sum for board, and his only possessions appeared to be a few old clothes. He was not a pensioner. The jury, without retiring,* brought in a verdict that deceased, being in a destitute condition was found drowned in Whangarei harbour, there being no evidence to show how’ he got into the water.