BODY FOUND IN THE BUSH

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 688, 23 July 1870, Page 2

BODY FOUND IN THE BUSH

Information was given at the Police office, Shortland, that the body of a man had been seen lying in the bush aboutsevenmiles from Shortland, on the Kauwaeranga, where there are a number of Maoris and Europeans engaged gum digging, and on Saturday last two natives and a half-caste returning to Parawai, when about half-way, at a place called Ruhuai, felt a strong smell, and on leaving the track for a short distance they saw lying the bodv of a man much decomposed. The head was separated from the; trunk, and was lying about three feat away, having probably been torn off by bush pigs when the muscles of the neck had become decomposed. The natives are quite certain that the body is that of a European, from the color of the skin of the leg, but they did not make any careful examination, nor did they touch, or even go close to the body. The deceased had spread out his blankets, and had apparently lain down on the top of them ; and, from the fact that he had not wrapped the blankets round him, it is conjectured that the death must have occurred during the summer. His boots were off, laid beside him, and on a bush were his stockings, hung as if to dry. There were no signs of any violence, or- of any struggle having taken place. Arrangements have been made by the police to hav • the body brought in to-day July 7th. It is likely that the more careful examination which will be made by the police on the spot and of the clothes of the deceased will lead to his identification. In that place a man could hardly be lost, and die of fatigue and hunger. He must have been going or returning from the locality where the gum is being found, or been prospecting, and lying down had died from some illness, severe enough to prevent him from leaving the place.