BOY'S BODY FOUND

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25344, 27 October 1945, Page 6

BOY'S BODY FOUND

TAKAI'UKA DISCOVERY

MOTHER FEARED DROWNED The body of a boy who apparentlyhad been drowned was found by another boy in the grounds of the Takapuna Grammar School shortly before six o'clock yesterday morning. Later the police found a hat, overcoat and shoes belonging to the boy's mother on the beach about -100 yards away and a police party unsuccessfully searched bv v launch in Hangitoto Channel yesterday afternoon in the belief that the mother had gone into the water after her son's body had been carried into the school grounds. The child was Graham Colestone Rosser, aged three years. The mother, Mrs Gwenyth Elaine Rosser, aged 2">, whose husband, Private C. L. Rosser, lias been overseas for two and a-half years, lived with her parents Mr and Mrs CI. H. Strange, of f J Matai Road, One Tree Hill. In 111-Health for Some Time The mother had been in ill-health for some time and she was still recoverin > from a severe attack of influenza when she left home at about two o'clock on Thursday afternoon with her son. fn addition the absence of her husband is stated to have been causing her considerable worry. She had been anxious for news of his return home. At dusk on Thursday evening, a woman who was walking along the beach noticed a woman and a boy answering to the description of Mrs Rosser and her son sitting on the boa e)i. A newspaper boy discovered the body of the child lying on the grass at the side of the pathway about 20 yards inside the St. Leonard's Road entrance to the school. The boy was fuilv clothed and the clothes were wet. An Unsuccessful Search When the police arrived a shopping' bag containing Mrs Rosser's ration books and other articles was found near the body. About 400 yards away, on a bank near the foot of the steps on to the beach at the end of St. Leonard's Road, the police found the articles of clothing belonging to Mrs Rosser. During the morning, while the police were continuing their search, the Queen's Wharf police received a rftessage from a scow which had just arrived, stating that an object which may have been a body was seen in Rangitoto Channel. The police launch was sent out and a search of the area was made until dusk, but there was no trace of a body. A letter written by Mrs Rosser and posted in the city on Thursday afternoon was received by her parents yesterday morning. In it Mrs Rosser referred to her state of health. PEDESTRIAN KILLED KNOCKED DOWN BY TRUCK PUKEKOHE ACCIDENT (0.C.) PUKEKOHE, Friday A man was knocked down by a truck in Upper Queen Street. Pukekohe, tonight and died before admission to hospital. He was Mr Pat Piranga, aged 54, of Pukekohe Hill, married, with no children. Mr Piranga and his wife were walking along Upper Queen Street at about 7.30 o'clock when lie was struck by the truck and received severe head injuries. He died while being taken to the Auckland Hospital.

LOCAL AND GENERAL Olty Gas Supply The Auckland Gas Co. . has just enough coal to last until Monday, when 1100 tons of Greymouth coal, being carried by the Kaimiro, is expected to be available. During the last week the company has been able to build up its reserve of gas, and last night the position was better by 700,000 cubic feet than it was last Friday night. There will be a probable gain during the weekend. An acute shortage of coal at the Hamilton gasworks has been causing concern ana about 25 tons of the Auckland company's coal was sent there yesterday afternoon to help meet the position. Portrait of "Mum" Nearly two years ago an anonymous donor offered to give to the Auckland Returned Services Association a portrait of the typical "Mum" of the men of the forces. The intention was that the picture should be hung in the association's new clubrooms and a committee was appointed to select an artist. The president of the association, Mr A. P. Postlewaite, said yesterday that this selection had not yet been made, but the association intended to have the portrait painted. He thought that it might be necessary to inquire overseas in order to obtain the services of a suitable artist. R.S.A. Amenities In its effort to form a military band, the Auckland Returned Services Association has made fairly good progress. Twenty players have been enrolled, and the president of the association, Mr A. P. Postlewaite, stated yesterday that, as there were a number of bandsmen still to return from overseas,. no_ difficulty was anticipated in establishing a full band. This was a step toward making the R.S.A. building a cultural and social centre, where returned men could enjoy music, debates, lectures and other forms of entertainment. It was also proposed to have a room of remembrance at the clubrooms in honour or the fallen. New Ration Books Now ration books issued at the Auckland chief post office yesterday numbered 10.000, making the total to last night approximately 100,000. '1 lie total for suburban offices, where 56.962 books were issued last week, was not available last night, but it was estimated that over 200.000 had been distributed in the Auckland metropolitan iireaIssuing ceased at the suburban offices last nitrht but applications will ''B handled"at'the chief post office between 9 o'clock this morning and mid-day. The rationing office will return to its normal hours, 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., on Monday, when the new sots of coupons will come into use. Gaming Charge Dismissed Holding that a wharf shed was not a public place, Mr <T. H. Luxford, _S.M.» yesterday dismissed a charge against a waterside worker, Samuel Henderson, of playing two-up in a public l'' 3o ®* Evidence was given by Sergeant Quartley that defendant was in possession or dice when a ring of men was found playing two-up in shed 22 on 1 rince 9 Wharf at 4 a.m. on September 24. the magistrate: "Who has the right to go into the shed?" Witness: "No one has that right." "Then I am not satisfied that the building was a _ public place, .said Mr Luxford in dismissing the case. He refused to allow the information to be amended to read: "In view or a public place." Ball For Gambia's Crew Although it would not be possible to arrange for a march through the city by the crew of the Gambia, which is expected to arrive at Auckland on Tuesday, the Town Hall won id be n 1 ; 10 , available free of charge lor a ship ball the following night, said Mr J. .u* Coakley, deputy-Mayor, yesterday. Information received from tne na\ authorities made it apparent, he co - tinned, that it would not be immediately practicable to arrange for a marcn upon the ship's arrival. If it was possible to arrange anv such march beto the ship left Auckland, however, citizens would no doubt welcome opportunity to pay a tribute to men. It was understood that invitatio to the ball would be issued from the ship.