MYSTERY SOLVED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22972, 25 February 1938, Page 12

MYSTERY SOLVED

BODY FOUND IN CREEK IDENTITY ESTABLISHED INQUEST AT PUKEKOHE [from our own correspondent] PUKEKOHE, Thursday Tbo mystery as to the identity of the nmn whose body was found in the creek at the foot of lied Hill, Buckland, oil December '22 was cleared up by evidence given when the inquest was resumed to-day at the Pukekohe Courthouse. The coroner, Mr. C. K. Lawrie, gave a verdict that deceased was John Christian Maloney, who resided at 15 Newton Road, Auckland, up to December 2 last. He added that deceased was found drowned in the creek, but there was no evidence to show how he came to be in the water. Constable A. P. Packer said in evidence that the body had been in the water for two or three weeks. Folded up on the bank near where it was found was a newspaper dated December 3. The name of the tailor who had made the coat was on a label sewn inside. A traveller for this tailor deposed that the material in the coat was identical with that for a suit which Maloney ordered from him on August 17, 1937, when Maloney was working at a mill in the King Country.

Herbert Dan Carter, of 6 Bronte Street, Auckland, said he saw deceased in the street in Newton, Auckland, on the night of December 2. Deceased seemed worried, but said he would never commit suicide. Next day witness received a letter from deceased stating that he was worried and wished to talk to witness. Ho did not say what was worrying hint. However, ho could not then be found. He believed Maloney was a single man, aged 32. Constable L. Wilson said a levy book which was found among effects which. Maloney had left at tho house in Newton lload showed that his name was John Christian Maloney and that his next of kin was J. Maloney, Ilimu, West Coast, South Island.