DEATH FROM STARVATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7921, 13 April 1887, Page 5

DEATH FROM STARVATION.

HORRIBLE FATE OF A GUMDIGGEK. At the Kumeu, on Monday laat, Mr. T. W. Deacon, and his storeman (Ray), found the dead body of a"guindigger, named John Watts, who had been working in the district for some time past. It appears that deceased had been living under the upper portion of a largo dog kennel, and there the body was found in a frightfully decomposed,statebeing simply a mass of maggots. There were only a few empty meat cana about, and absolutely nothing elee in the shape of food or clothing, so there can bo but little doubt that he died of starvation and exposure. Ray, Deacon's storeman, states that deceased sold but little gum, and wes of a very any and reserved nature. Tbe lest time he was seen alivo was on April 2, when he oame to the store for some provisions, oonaisting of oatmeal, a loaf of bread, and a bit of meat. In refereuce to this case. Mr. and Mrs. Goodacre, residing at Exmouth-street, Ponsonby, have called on us and given the following detailed information regarding the unfortunate young man who has succumbed to this fearful fate. His name was John Watts, and he was abonfc 27 yoars of age, of a ruddy complexion, aud dark sandy beard. He arrived in Auckland by the ship Tythoniua, in February, ISS3. from Mount Sorrow, Leicestershire, in company with a cousin, and his acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Goodaoro arose from the fact that ho had a parcel for them from some of their frlenda in England. Be remained with them for about eleven days after his arrival, and then his uncle, Mr. T. Ward, of Uaglan, seeing his arrival auuouueed in the papers, came to Auckland and took his nephew with him to his farm. Here he stayed for some time. His disposition was remarkable for want of energy, and he seemed to be little more than a child in this respect. After a stay with his unole he procurcid work on the railway, which he was only able to retain for a brief interval, and then after wandering about the country districts, he made his way to Auckland, and on reaching here ho was utterly destitute, and slept for successive nights in the Domain. At length, when reduced to a state of starvation, he made hie way to Mr. aud Mrs. Gocdacre iu July last. He was in a wretched condition, and his clothes were literally rat; 3. He remaiued with theso friends for a mouth, and was provided by them with clothing and nourishment, and soon recovered his ordinary strength. About this time the Government offered free passes by rail to tlioso of the unemployed who were willing to chance the gumfielda, and Mr. Goodacre providing Watts with clothes, blankets, a spade and spear, and a good supply of food, and a small sum of money, he proceeded to the gurnfields in the Hclenaville district. They also gave him a stamped and addressed envelope, and he promised to write to them, but he never fulfilled the promise. This was, indeed, unfortunate for him, for his cousin had left some money for him in Mr. Goodacre's charge to be forwarded to him ; but as Mr. Goodaore had been unable to find any ■ traoo of Watts, and had nover heard from him, he returned the money some months ago, and they never heard further until thoy saw the account of his melancholy death, aud recognised tho. description given by the police.