SUPPOSED DROWNING ACCIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13999, 4 September 1907, Page 5

SUPPOSED DROWNING ACCIDENT

BODY FOUND AT RIVERTON.

(PROM OUB SPECIAL RUPOETER.) RIVERTON, September 3. ' Wlien Mr W. Stirling's fishing cutter was going out shortly before 7 o'clock this morning fte occupants noticed some object lying on the North Spit,'near Sandy Point, closo to tiio mouth of the harbour. A heavy sea was running, and compelled tho fishermen to return. Wlien passing up tho Aparima River again about 8.30 a.m. they steered in to investigate, and thore found, half buried by the sand, fnp body of Thomas Crawford, a single man, 50 years of age, and very well-known in tho district, lying face downwards near high water mark. Information was sent to thcpblicc, and Constable Raenmssen removed deceased to Mr Roo's hotel, where ho had resided for the past H months. Dr Gordon, who was summoned, pronounced life extinct, and gavo it, as his opinion that death had taken place from 12 to 16 hours previously. The deceased had lived in the Eiverton and Winton districts for about 25 years. It was his custom to go out almost every day and sit on the beach or walk along tho shore. Ho was- very reticent, and seldom spolco about his affairs. During his long period of refiidenco ho had never ken known to be the worae of liquor, and -was generally rcspccicd. Deceased was in recoipt of remittances, and had a considerable sum to his credit in tho bank On Monday ho had dinner! at about i o'clock, went out shortly after, and did not rohirn. When tlio body was found tho tidu Had boon on the ebb three hours. It is surmised that deceased had been seized with a fit, and probably wa6 drowned by tho rising tide. Resides letters, a sum of 11s was found on tho remains. His watch had' stopped at 7.40, which would bn about the hour of high tide last night. The letters showed, that Jic had friends in Iticcarton (Canterbury) and at Skipper's. There was n letter also from a nephew in Ireland, a sister, and other relatives residing in County Antrim, while a brother is doing' well at" cattle ranching in Canada. It is {nought ho nlso has relatives at Limestone Plains. An inquest will be held to-morrow.