Woman's Body Found lei Bush

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1948, Page 6

Woman's Body Found lei Bush

AUCKLAND. Sat. (P.A.L—The body of an 80-year-old woman who had been missing since Monday was found by a search party yesterday afternoon lying on a steep bush track at Birkdale about 200 yards from the three-roomed bach where she lived with her husband. She was:

Mrs Rachael Sargent, wife of Mr Frederick W. Sargent, of Beach Road, Birkdale.

Slight abrasions which could have been caused by a fall were the only visible sign of injury. A post-mortem examination is being held.

Neighbours who had not seen Mrs Sargent since Monday afternoon communicated with the Birkenhead police station yesterday morning. After a two-hour search through the bush on a steep slope behind the Sargent’s bach, a party found the body on a bend in a tortuous and slippery track leading from the residence to seashore.

Mrs Sargent’s hat was lying 20 or 30 feet away. Her clothes were saturated with rain and one of trie sandshoes she had been wearing was missing. The other was not laced up. NO SUSPICIONS It is understood the police do not suspect foul play in connection with the death of Mrs Sargent. At an inquest before the city coroner (Mr A. Addison) today a neighbour, G. E. Chiles said Mrs Sargent was a weak frail woman not too steady on her feet.

“I think only her will power kept her going.” he added She was missing since Monday but witness understood she was visiting friends in Auckland. He decided yesterday to inform the police. Mrs Sargent led a normal life and always appeared happy and contdntcd. The inquest was adjourned.

U.N. CHILDREN'S APPEAL Although no specific fund-raising campaign has been undertaken, £129 5/7 has been donated in the Far North towards the United Nations Appeal for Children. Collection is in the hands of local bodies, and to date £B6/8/7 has been handed in to the Mangonui county clerk (Mr A. J. Mackintosh) and £42/17/- to the Kaitaia town clerk (Mr W. H. Atkins). MACHINERY FOR SALE