BEACH MYSTERY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 25 June 1938, Page 9

BEACH MYSTERY

MAN’S BODY AT ORAKEI

BLOOD PUZZLES POLICE

NO SIGNS OF VIOLENCE

POST-MORTEM ORDERED

(For Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day

Mystery surrounds the death of an elderly man, Thomas Withey, whose body was found on the beach at Okahu Bay, Orakci, this morning.

Though apparently drowned, and there are no signs of violence on the body, there arc indications of bleeding from the eyes, nose and mouth.

Detectives took charge of the inquiry, and the group on the beacli attracted hundreds of people travelling to the city. Though the police are inclined to the belief that the cause of death was drowning, the presence of blood was puzzling. However, there are no signs of violent death. The man’s identity was discovered by a detective making a round of boardinghouses in the city.

The inquest was formally opened by Mr. F. K. Hunt, coroner.

The proprietress of an apartment house, said that the deceased, who was about 58 years of age, recently stopped at her place. She last saw him on Monday. He was then in good health and spirits. He said he was leaving that day. The only work he apparently did, was to fill matchvending machines in the city. Mr. Hunt adjourned the inquest and ordered a post-mortem examination. The police have no clues as to the deceased’s relatives.