A MYSTERY CLEARED UP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8611, 23 December 1913, Page 5

A MYSTERY CLEARED UP

MAN’S REMAINS FOUND IN SCRUB. Press Association.

AUCKLAND, December 22. The mystery which surrounded the disappearance of a gumdigger named Charles Spranz. from gumtiolds near 'J'akapuna. six years ago has been cleared up by the finding of a skull, boots, loggings, and other articles, which have been identified by a person who know Spranz. Spranz, who was a very old man, lived in a tent on tho gumfiolds about three miles from Takapuna. About six years ago. he was seen returning home late one night, but nobody saw him afterwards. Since that time cattlo had. been noticed in the vicinity chewing what appeared to bo human hones, but no ouo seomod to attach any importance to that. On Sunday night Alexander Bell, a gumdigger who was acquainted with Spranz, was in the scrub just off the track leading from the East Coast road to Spranz’s tent, and about three-quarters of a mile from the road, when he discovered a skull and pair of boots containing the bones off human feet. 801 l informed the police, and when Constable Steer arrived further search revealed the remnants, of a pair of leggings, a metal watch and chain, and an old felt hat. A purse containing 18s 6d in Silver was unearthed just below the surface of the ground. Several pieces of decayed clothing were also found partly buried in tho soil. No other parts of the body were discovered. Bell is able to identify the boots, leggings, and hat as those belonging to Spranz. The missing man had only one eye, and the sight in that was very bad. It is surmised that the old man’s in-, different sight caused him to miss the track and to lose himself. It is probable that he then sank exhausted on the ground and died.