MYSTERY OF DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1935, Page 7

MYSTERY OF DEATH

MAN’S BODY FOUND IN HARBOUR. OPEN FINDING OF CORONER. .By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last. Night No evidence disclosing the circumstances of death was produced at the inquest held by Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., into the death of John Joseph McMahon, about 45, whose body was found washed up on the western reclamation on December 31; He was a retired waterside worker.

Patrick Joseph Quin said McMahon was of frugal and quiet habits. About four years ago he gave up work on the < wharf to live on his means. A clerk in the Public Trust Office said that at the time of his death, McMahon possessed securities in local, body debentures totalling £1915 and he had also £5BB in the Post Office Savings Bank. “We have here the case of a quiet, well behaved man who went out one afternoon and was never seen again,” said the coroner. “The pathologist says the cause of death was drowning. There was a slight bruising in the vicinity of the eyes and a small quantity of veronal was in the stomach. “On the evidence before me, all I can find is that he was found drowned in the Auckland harbour on December 31.