FOUND DROWNED.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 776, 7 October 1878, Page 2

FOUND DROWNED.

The body of a man was found floating in the upper part of the Lagoon this morning. It was, we believe, first seen by Mr. J. C. Black, who noticed the hand above the water (tbGut half-past seven o'clock. In- ' formation was at onoe given to the police, and the body, which was apparently standing upright in the water, was removed to the Criterion Hotel, pending a Coroner's inquiry. In the pockets were found, on examination, one penny, a rough pocketbook containing a number of undecipherable memoranda, the following letters, and a few other things : " Sterling, Otago, " September 13, 187 S. "This is to certify that I have known the bearer (Leslie Reid) for a considerable time, and have always found him honest and straightforward }n the.numerous transactions I haye had witji ijini f-vA "With confidence would recommend him to anyone requiring a sober, industrious young man, " Signed James Hers, " Manse, Oamaru, "25th Sept., 1878. "Dear Mr. Reed—The bearer of this (Leslie Keid) is seeking employment, and I take the liberty of sending him to you, to see if you pan give him any grubbing or hedging, or any work, indeed. "I am, ." Yours faithfully, " Alexk. B. Todd." The body was afterwards viewed by the E,ev. A. B, Todd, who recognised it as that of a man named Leslie Reid, who called upon Him oil the 25 : th September and represented himself as t]ie son of an iron merchant in Scotland, The Rev, i|r. Todd' having then supplied him with a little njon'ey for immediate requirements, gave him the letter published above. The body was also identified by Mr. Johnston as that of a man who had been at the Telegraph Office on the evening of the 26th September very drunk and endeavored to obtain money. From that iime nothing is known of the deceased's movements, nor is it possible to ascertain through'what cause he met his death ; but it is probable that he walked''oyer the bank in the dark, and being unabie to swim'was drowned.

A Coroner's inquest was held on the body this afternoon at the Criterion Hotel, before T. W. Parker, Esq., District Coroner, and a jury. A verdict of "Found drowned " was returned.