Referring to the mysterious disappearance of a young man named Leonard Duncan, a brother of Mr J. A. Duncan, of Palmerston, the local paper says: — "Mr L. Duncan left Palmerston on Wednesday, the 24th July last, for Shag Point. On the same day he was seen gathering cockles at the beach. Subsequently he went to Wyle's accommodation house, and requested that he might be accommodated with a bed. Mrs Wyle stated that she could not let him have a bed. He then left with the intention of going to the Pukeivitai Hotel, but had not since been heard of. He is about five feet four inches high, has dark brown curly hair blue eyes, and light whiskers. When last seen he wore a dark coat and hat, and light trousers and vest. We need hardly say that any information respecting his whereabouts will be thankfully received by his relatives in Palmerston." -Otago Daily Times, 7/8/1878.
It will be remembered that about the end of July last, Mr Leonard Duncan, brother of Mr Jas. Duncan, Empire Hotel, Palmerston, was reported missing, having been last seen somewhere about the Kartigi Beach. A search party was organised at the time, but no trace could be discovered until yesterday, when two men who had been eel-fishing in some waterholes in a gully leading from the Horse Range towards the sea, situate on the run, and about three miles distant from the homestead of Mr Rowley, Kartigi, came across the missing man's clothes, and also his bank-book. The discovery having been at once reported to the police, Sergeant Rooney and others proceeded to the spot early yesterday morning, but could find no trace whatever of the body. The great depth of waterholes in the vicinity, and also the height of the fern and grasses will preclude a thorough search being made for some days. -Otago Daily Times, 19/11/1878.
A number of the residents of Palmerston, together with Constable Bayfield, formed a search party on the morning of the 21st to try and ascertain the fate of Leonard Duncan, traces of him having been discovered on Sunday. The party returned last evening, having succeeded in settling all doubts in the matter. The skeleton of the unfortunate man was found on the opposite side of a swamp where his clothes were found, and not more than 80 or 90 yards distant therefrom. From the position in which the skeleton was found, lying on its back buried in a bog from the knees down, the poor fellow must have succumbed from weakness, and was not able to assist himself, as he was not more than a foot from hard ground. The flesh, with the exception of a small portion on the legs buried in the bog, was entirely off the bones. The boots were also on the feet, and the party found what were supposed to be the remains of his trousers. -Otago Witness, 30/11/1878.
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