MISSING FARMER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 308, 29 December 1937, Page 5

MISSING FARMER

RECOVERY OF BODY END OF 10 DAYS’ SEARCH VERDICT OF DROWNING RAWENE, Dec. 23. The body of Mr. L.‘ Leader, aged 34 years, a farmer, of Te Karae, who had been missing since December 12. was discovered at 1.30 p.m. yesterday in a mangrove flat in the Mangamuku River, Hokianga, by one of a large party of Maoris, who, assisted by the police, had been searching for the last 10 days.

An inquest was held before Mr. A. E. Andrewes, coroner. Evidence of identification was given by the uncle of the deceased, Daniel Leader, and also by the Maori who found the body and by Constable J. F. Frain. The coroner returned a verdict that deceased met his death by drowning on or about December 13, while temporarily insane. Ho particularly thanked all the Maoris for their untiring efforts in the search. The inquest was conducted by Constable J. R. Corston. Severly injured about the head as a result of being struck by a heavy lamp, a young married woman, Mrs. Iris Grace Leader, aged 21, of Te Karae, about 15 miles from Rawene, North Auckland, sought refuge at the home of a Maori on December 12. Although rendered unconscious by the blow, Mrs. Leader recovered sufficiently to take her infant daughter and stagger to the home of the Maori, where she was given attention. Her husband, who had recently been discharged from the Rawene Hospital, left his home shortly after Mrs. Leader was injured and a search was instituted by the police.