SOLDIER'S DEATH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1665, 16 June 1919, Page 4

SOLDIER'S DEATH.

DROWNED NEAR RAKAIA. POCKETS FILLED WITH'STONES. With the pockets of the clothes full of stones, ami a keroseue*tin filled with stones tied by a wire round the neck, the body of Thomas Arthur Hood, a returned soldier, aged 26 years, was found in an irrigation stream near Bakaia yesterday. Hood, who was a single man and the elder son of Mr John Hood, railway ganger, of Edendale, Southland, was a corporal in the Otago Infantry Battalion, of the Main Body. He took part in the Gallipoli landing, ami was later wounded in the shoulder, being invalided home about two years ago. Latterly he was working for his uncle, Mr Thomas Hood, Overdale, Bakaia. The deceased spent the night of Thursday, Juno ."i, with Mr James Mead, of Bakaia. Shortly before noon next day he remarked that he was going for a walk, and set off across the paddocks. When he did not return, it was thought thai Hood had probably gone on to his uncle's. His friends' and relatives missed him from the Ashburton trots, for he was a keen follower of that sport; and when notes had been compared it was found that he had not been seen since June 0. The police were immediately notified, and a search commenced on Saturday. It was continued I yesterday, with the result, that Messrs Butler, Behemes, and. Banks found the | body in the channel near Mr Colland's property, about two miles from Bakaia. The deceased's watch, some small change, and a note for his people, were found on the bank. The water at the I spot was about 4 feet deep. INQUEST OPENED. Before Mr J. Cow, Acting-Coroner, at Bakaia to-day, the inquest" on the circumstances of Thomas Arthur Hood's death was opened. Formal evidence of identification was taken, and the inquest adjourned until Friday morning to allow of further inquiries being made.