DEAD BODY FOUND

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 26

DEAD BODY FOUND

SHOT THROUGH THE BACK

SYDNEY, August 19,

While an aboriginal girl was gathering bottles which had been discarded by Sunday picknickers in some scrub at Yarra Bay she discovered the body of a man. Apparently death occurred early on Sunday night. A bullet had entered the middle of the back. it is difficult to understand what business could take anyone to such a lonely spot by night. Though the body bears a remarkable likeness to that of a man named Mower it has been positively identified as that of Charles John Stratton, aged 33 years, a wharf labourer, who left his home at Chippendale on Sunday afternoon, saying he was going to Yarra Bay to play “ twoup.” It is not known what money he had, but there was only Is 4d on the body when it was found.

The police are disinclined to accept the theory of murder. They say the scrub is frequented by parties in search of small game, and there is a possibility that a stray bullet killed Stratton.

A black tracker found a track where a couple had been sitting eating oranges, also a man’s track from the spot where Stratton’s body was found to a spot where an empty cartridge lay. It is stated that Stratton was frequently seen in the locality by night. August 20. In connection with the discovery of Strattoffs body at Yarra Bay yesterday the police are searching for a young couple who were seen at the Yarra Bay tram-waiting shed after 10 o’clock cn Sunday night. It is stated that they appeared agitated and anxious to get back to the city. They may not be able to throw any light on the occurrence, but so far this is the only clue.