SOLUTION OF A MYSTERY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVIII, Issue 12120, 23 December 1913, Page 4

SOLUTION OF A MYSTERY.

Per Press Association. Auckland, December 22. The mystery which surrounded .the disappearance of a'n. old gum l -digger named Charles Si)ranz from the gumfields near Takapuna six years ago has been cleared up by the finding of a skull, boots, leggings, and other articles which have been identified by a person who knew Spranz. Spranz, who was a. very old man, lived in a tent cn the gumfields about three miles from Takapuna. About six years ago he was seen returning home late, one night, but since then nobody had seen him. Since that time cattle had been noticed in the vicinity chewing what: appeared to be human bones, but no one seemed 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 roadto Spranz's tent, and about three-quar-ters of a mile from the road, when he discovered a skull and a pair of hoots "containing the bones of human feet. —Bell informed the police, .and when Constable Steer arrived further search revoaled 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 the 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 the other . was very bad.. It is surmised that the old man's indifferent sight caused him ;o miss the track.and to lose himself. It thought probable that he then sank exhausted on the ground and died.