WAIUKU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5638, 11 December 1879, Page 6

WAIUKU.

FINDING OF COVEULYS BODY. Os Saturday la3t, the Olli instant, about 10 o'clock a.m., Hemi Maun, the native constable of the district, brought news to AVaiuku of thefindiDg of the reuiaiDs of the the lata Fiederick Coverly on the edge of a creek near Mariaroliia. He at oace acquainted Constable Parker of the fact, who ordered a coffin, and shortly after dinner time proceeded to the spot, and brought the remains to the Kentish Hotel. The body wa3 in ail advanced state of decomposition, beinc reduced almost to a skeleton. It was so much decomposed that the head was off the body, and very little left but boats. The only thing to recognise the remains by was the clothing, and a leather belt he wore. At 4 o'clock, p.m., the inquest on the remains was held, in the Commercial Hall, near the Kentish Hotel, before Mr. \V. J. Harris, J.P., Acting Coroner. A jury of thirteen were empanelled, of whom Mr. G. H. Se'.by was chosen foreman. After viewing the remains, the following evidence was taken :—Constable Parker deposed that, on or about Satarday, the 22nd of last monh, several parties noticed the prolonged absence of Frederick Coverly, from the village. About 2 pm. on that day, Mr. W. Braun and I went to look for him. We went to Taylor's Creek, where the deceased was in the habit of going to fish. We found hij two boots, one on each side of the creek, and his not set across ou the edge of the bank. We found his trousers, boots, and pipe. We made a careful search, but could find nothing further. On the following morning (Sunday) several of the settlers along with myself made a further search, but found nothing more. This morning, the 6til December, I received information from Piakau, a native, that Hemi Mauu, the native constable, had found the remains on the edge of the creek near Mariarohia. I had a coffin made, and proceeded to the spot, accompanied by Hemi Manu and Piakau. We gathered the remains, and brought them to where they now lie. They were very much decomposed; the head was off, and lying alongside. The flesh had nearly all disappeared. I recognise the remains as those of Froderlck Coverly by a blue shirt and leather be'.t that he usually wore. The deceased had been about a week absent before search was made. I swear that thoae are the remains of Frederick Coverly by the clothing and belt. Hemi Manu (Mr. P. 11. King interpreting) deposed : This morning I was coming along the edge of the creek, looking about. I found the remains of a human being. I believed them to be Frederick Coverly's. I informed the constable. We went and conve3'ed them to an out-house of the Kentish Hotel. I recognise the remains as those of Coverly's by hi 3 clothes. This wa3 all the evidence, and, aftor a short deliberation, the jury brought in a verdict "That the. said Frederick Coverly, oo the 6th day of December, 1879, in a certain creek at Mariarobia near Waiuku, was found dead, but how or by what means he came to his death no evidence doth appear to-the Bald jurors." About 6 o'clock the remains of the late P. Coverly were interred in tha burying-

ground, Mr. C. H. Green, in the absence of a minister, reading the burial service of the Anglican Church. The late F. Coverly was, it is generally believed, between G5 and 70 years of age, and was a very old settler in YVaiuku. He has been following the occupation of fishing for several years past. He was rather feeble. Very little i 3 known of bi3 early life. I believe he was formerly a shepherd in Australia. He was an Englishman, but of what part I do not know. I believe he has no relatives in the colony. He used to live alone, and has done so ever since I have known him—about 1G or 17 years. He was an exceedingly temperate man, never having been seen the worse for drink. He used to live in a small house in the village, but whether it is his own or not I do not know.—[Own Correspondent, Dec. S.]