OLD MAN FOUND DROWNED

Southland Times, Issue 23652, 29 October 1938, Page 8

OLD MAN FOUND DROWNED

An inquest into the death of William 1 Frederick Fleming, who was found drowned in Winding -Creek, near the Waikaia township, was held before a Justice of the Peace and a jury of four at Waikaia. A verdict that deaffi was caused by drowning, there being _ no evidence to show how Fleming got into the stream, was returned. Z ' . William Phillips Collins, in giving evidence, stated that Fleming lived alone in a hut about one mile and ahalf from the Waikaia township. He had been suffering from a severe cold, but otherwise he was in fair health, for his age. It was his custom to come to the township about 5 o clock each evening for his stores and papers. He was seen about the township after nine o’clock on Saturday evening and he then appeared to be in his usual state of health. About 10 p.m. he had called at the home of the witness and departed shortly afterwards. On Sunday the witness went to Fleming’s hut to see him, but he was not there. The door of the hut was open and the bed appeared as if it had not been used. Inquiries were made, but Fleming was not found. A search party went out on Sunday, Monday and again on Tuesday. About 7 o’clock on Tuesday night the body of the missing man was found washed up on the bank of Winding Creek near the township. The witness said he could not account for Fleming’s getting into the creek, which was in flood.