INQUEST.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6259, 4 July 1890, Page 3

INQUEST.

An inquest was held this morning at the Eoyal Hotel, by Mr Wray as Coroner, touching the death of the person whose body was found in Caroline Bay on Wednesday. The following were the -jury: —Messrs B, il. Ferguson (foreman), Keith, Coe, Hubert, Juo. King and Murdoch. Before the jury wont to view the body the Coroner stated that evidence would be brought as to the identification of tbe body, and it would bo for the jury to determine whether the identification was sufficiently complete ; and circumstances connected with time <f a certain person’s disappearance would be told from which they would be further able to judge whether this was tbe body of a particular person. Other circumstances would be placed before them from which they would have to determine as well as they could whether the death was accidental or otherwise.

The first witness was T. Gladwin, a platelayer on the railway, who stated that |be was on duty on Benvenue cliff on Wednesday morning, when lie saw the body floating in the water, a couple of chains from tbe foot of the cliff. Gave information to the police as soon as he could get away, in about an hour and a half.

igjGeorge Sunaway, waterman, gave evidence that hearing there was a body in the bay, he took two men in a boat and went to look for it. Guided by some people on shore he found the body, passed a rope round it, and towed it until ho met the police boat, and then they lifted it into witness’s boat, and landed it at the boatsbed steps. There was no clothing on except boots. The face vvas much disfigured as if by battering about on the stones. Supposed the body had been in (he water about a fortnight.

John Power, bootmaker, stated he had seen the boots found on the body and to the beet of his belief they were a pair he made for George Priest, on the 10th of January last. The boots were like witness’s make, and he recognised them ns Priest’s by a peculiarity in a second sot of nails put in by him after they had been worn for some time. Often had to do a similar thing, but not exactly in that way. Another thing he recognised the boot by (seen on ripping open tho sole) was that he made the boots too largo, and bad to rip the soles and take them in, in the instep. That was not a usual thing to do. It was possible that similar work had been dune by another tradesman. To the best of bis belief the boot was the one altered by him for George Priest. To the jury should : Would not undertake to swear to his work generally. It was agreed that the witness should also rip open the other boot. The witness returned later with the other boot opened up, aud presenting the same evidence of alteration as the first.

Thomas G. Rowley, dentist, stated that three or four months ago he extracted a number of teeth from Mr George Priest, and the condition of the mouth of the deceased was such as to convince him that the body was that of George Priest. Ho extracted all except six lower front teeth. On examining the body ho found only two lower canine teeth left, the four between them had been knocked out recently judging from the splintered state of the sockets, and the canines were loosened. The general stale of the mouth was such as it would be four months after extraction of the teeth ; that confirmed his opinion formed otherwise as stated. Size of body and shape of head —the general appearance- corresponded with those of George Priest, and ho was' convinced that it was George Piiest’s body. Dr P. Maclntyre, who examined the body yesterday morning, described its condition generally, and the mouth as Mr Rowley he! done. A small pa'oh of brow n ha ; r remained in the nape of the neck. He believed it to be the body of George Priest. 'J ho general formation of the head corresponded. Thera was an indistinct mark, as of a long scar, on one foot, it wes very slight, and if his attention had not been called to it, he would not have seen it. The cause of death was drowning, and the body had been about a week—from five or six days to a fortnight -in the water. There were no marks of viohnes except such as were caused after death. Deceased was a man of middle age, over 33. Thomas Priest, farmer, Pareora, staled that he bad a brother George Priest. Did not hear till last n'ght that his brother was missing, and at the same time that a body supposed lo be bis had been found. His brother had a long scar on one foot, caused by an accident during childhood. The doctor said he could see an indistinct mark, but witness could not see it. He could not recognise the body as his brother’s. Hunora Priest, wife of George Priest, stated her husband left home between 9 and 10 a.m. on Wednesday week, saying he was going out to soma “ Flat,” but did not say where j did not expect he was going away for any length of time. He was not accustomed lo go away for a length of time without telling hi r. The ba ;, iffs were in the house, end he was not very b) ;ght, but his manner was not much different from his usual manner. He was in debt, but she did not think that had made very much difference in him ; he had not been very cheerful. Could not recognise the body as her husband’s. The boots and socks were like his, but she would not say positively they were hia. Wm. Priest, ironmonger, stated George Priest was his brother. He could not identify the body. The deceased was about the same height as George Priest. Saw him a little after 11 am. on Wednesday wees. He understood bis brother was in financial difficulties, having been unsuccessful in grain speculations, but he had no opportunity of judging whether he was despondent or net. His brother had avoided him for a month back, be believed on account of being ashamed of some of the losses, witness having found the mmey. Hi» brother was a little given to drink. Had no idea of anything to cause his brother’s absence. His brother’s age was 46 or 47.

At this stage a telegram just received from Oamaru was read by the Coroner. “ Mrs Eudder, wife of Joseph Rudder, thinks the body may be that of her husband, will wire again at 2 pm, whether she will come to Timaru. lie was known to a man named Thomas, employed in the Timaru post office, ”

Henry Thomas, post-office messenger, was at once sent for. He stated he had seen the body. Had known one Joseph Rudder of Oamaru, saw him six or seven weeks ago, at Timaru, in search of work. He went to Beaconsfield. He was there a week and then left, and had not heard of him since. Had seen the body, and thought it was a little too tall for Rudder’s, He did not think it was the same person. Rudder wes very subject to fils Did not think the boots produced were of the kind Rudder would wear. Rudder had lost some teeth, so that he had complained of the lose ; could not eay how many he ha i lost. Did not think the body was Rudder’s.

Detective Livingstone proved that the boots and socks produced were taken from the body and he produced another pair of socks given him by Mrs Priest, of the same colour and texture as those found on the body. He had forced an eitranoo to Mr George Priest’s office, and in the letter box on the door found a letter with postmark of 261 b June, showing that he had not been there since that date. Searched for any writing to show any cause for his absence, but found none. Had searched the beach on both sides of Timaru for clothing, but found none. Had made enquiries through the district for George Priest, and found no trace of him. From documents in the office, Mr Priest seemed to be carrying on a considerable business with people in various parts of the country. Sergcant-Uilajor Mason stated be bad made inquiries and found there was no person reported missing from Christchurch to Oamaru, except Mr George Priest. When the bailiffs were put into his house, as described by Mrs Priest, he told the landlord ho would go to Taiko Flat and get the money. Witness had special inquiry made in Taiko Flat and ti.e neighbourhood, Mr Priest, who is well known, had not been seen there. Had bad inquiries made for him from Christchurch to Oamaru, and nothing had been seen of him. Had information that the body of a man named Moualt was buried at sea from the barque Marianna, off the coast of Canterbury, ont he 16ih June, but that body was sown up and weighted and the current sets in the opposite direction, so that it could not be the same. The only ground of doubt was the fact that the man Rudder had not been communicating with his wife ; Rudder was not reported missing. He felt euro that it was impossible for all the clothing to be washed off the body, it must have been taken off before the drowning. In reply to Mr Keith, Dr Maciutyro said a body might be in the condition of this one after six or eight days in the water, and being knocked about on the beach.

The Coroner briefly reeiewed tbe evidence, pointing out the several coincidences, which though each one might bo thought trilling in itself, together made out the identity pretty clearly.

After a consultation the jury found that the body was that of George Priest, and as to the cause of death returned a verdict of " Found Drowned."