SKELETON FOUND.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20314, 25 May 1934, Page 8

SKELETON FOUND.

Discovery in Plantation at Burnham. SEARCH FOR IDENTITY. A human skeleton, partly clothed, was found in a plantation about two miles south of Burnham during the past week-end. So far the identity of I the remains has not been established, I but belongings found on the weatherworn clothes may help in inquiries that are being made by the police. The skeleton has been brought into Christchurch for examination by Dr A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Public Hospital, and an inquest will be held this afternoon. The investigations include the examination of a razor found with the skeleton to test for blood stains. Apart from an old-age pensioner named Reynolds, who disappeared nearly two years ago, no one has been reported missing, and it is unlikely that the skeleton is that of Mr Reynolds. There is a strong possibility that the remains are those of a swagger who had not been reported missing, but against that there is the point that the man was apparently moderately well-dressed. From the appearance of the skeleton and the weather-worn condition of the garments covering it there is the likelihood that it had remained hidden for at least two years. The discovery -was made by a young man, Mr Edward Hewitt, while he was out shooting. The police were informed and a party went out to the plantation yesterday morning and brought the remains to the morgue. The skeleton was lying on its right side with the head resting on the tattered remnants of a weather-worn overcoat that had been folded up to make a pillow. Razor and Watch. With the,skeleton were found a razor a watch and a set of false teeth, which it Is considered may be helpful in establishing the identity of the man. The skeleton will be further examined by a doctor, and this will give the police more data on which to work. The clothing was perished and weatherworn and as a means of identifying the man w’ill be of no assistance. Preliminary examinations that have been made suggest that the skeleton is that a man who was between fifty and sixty years of age at the time of his death, and who was slight of build, his height being not more than sft Sin. It has been ascertained that the clothing found on the remains was made from tweed and was probably dark grey in its original colour. A pair of black leather boots with round rubber heels encased the feet. As far as is known no one has been reported missing in the Burnham-Nor-wood district during the past two years. The clothing, although badly weather-beaten, is said to suggest that the man was fairly well dressed at the time of his death, and from the position of the skeleton when it was found it would appear that he died after lying down, either to rest or to go to sleep.