INQUEST AT WAIPORI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4679, 16 August 1899, Page 3

INQUEST AT WAIPORI.

An inauest was held before Mr F, W. Knight, Acting-corouer, on Sunday, the 13tb iugtant, on the body of the Chinaman who was found dead at Shepherds Creek on Friday last. Mr J. T, Johnson was chosen foreman of the jury. Constable Ward conducted the inquiry, and. Mr W. E. S. Znighfc acted as Chinese interpreter.

Mrs Wilson deposed to having sold tbe deceased some goods about the middle of June and some flour on July 1, aud that he started away from the township early in the day to go back to his hut. Witness had not seen him since tbab date.

Kobert Caffell, shepherd for Mr George Niohol, gave evidence as to finding the body. He considered thab the Chinaman had lost his way, as, although the body was found »ot very far from the deceased's hut, it was on a spur that was not likely to be taken by him in going to his hub. Ah Tan, Chinese storekeeper, Waipori, deposed to having known the deceased for about seven years. Had not seen him for about three months. Deceased had been working and living with another Chinaman named Soo Sin. Witness was informed tbat Chow Choy, the deceased, had been ;to the township on July 1, and not returning to his hut again his mate, Soo Sin, after waiting four days for him, thought the deceased must have gone to Lawrence and he decided to go to Dunedin and gain admittance to the Benevolent Institution, being an old man and past work, • Witness bad no suspicion tbat anything was wrong, as Soo Kin had told a countryman tbat he Lhougtit Chow Choy was in Lawrence.

Cons'able Ward deposed to going out to where the body was lying. Judging trom the position he found it in, the deceased's jacket having beßn placed under his head, witness came to the conclusion tha.o he. Nad died peacefully. Tna sma'l bag of flour, evidently the same as that supplied to the deceased by Mrs Wilson, was found three or four yards from the body further up the hill. Jf-othing of value was found either on deceased or in bis hut. Witness concluded that he had be.en dead about six weeks.

The verdict of the jury was : "J'bat Chow Choy had lost his way on returning from Waipori to his hut, and had died from exposure on or about the Ist of July, 1899.