MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 143, 24 August 1880, Page 2

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Considerable anxiety is experienced by the parents and friends of a young man named Henry Bontan, whose home is at Addington, in consequence of his mysterious disappearance since the 6th July last. It appears that on the above date Bontan left his father’s house at Addington to go to work on the farm of Mr. Morrow, South Rakaia. The lad "was on good terms with all the members of his family, and on leaving home expressed his intention of writing to his father immediately on reaching his destination, but up to the present nothing has been heard of him. The matter has been put in the hands of the police for elucidation, but nothing satisfactory has yet resulted from their enquiries. Mr. Morrow states that the lad had been working for him about six months, and in the early part of July last, Bontan went home* to see his parents, but Mr. Morrow has not heard anything of him since. Bontan did not take any of his clothes with him, and Mr. Morrow still owes him L 6 for wages. Mr. Morrow thinks it very impropable that the lad has lost himself, because he was so well acquainted with the ' district, and has gone over the place a number of times in the dark, and the road is-: neither rough nor dangerous. Ho reason can be assigned for the lad clearing out, as he appeared to be well satisfied with his place. Mr. Johns, a farmer at Kyle, states that Bontan came up with him in the train to Rakaia on the sth or 6th July last ; the lad said he had been home for a holiday, and was going back to Mr. Morrow’s. Mr. Johns left him on the railway platform at Rakaia, and has not, heard or seen anything Of the lad since. Bontan was at one time in the employ of Mr. Lambie, at Kyle, and that gentleman has - stated that the' lad left him in a similar manner Bontan is about sixteen years of age, 5 feet 4 inches in height, of slight build, dark brown hair, fresh complexion; and was dressed in a dark tweed suit,and black billy-cock hat. Our Rakaia correspondent writes research was made for the missing young man, Bontan, but without any result. It is - quite possible: that too much importance has been attached to this young man’s not returning to his work at Mr. Morrow’s, as he evidently had a wish to leave there, for on the day that he went to Christchurch he said he was ill, and not able to work. He shortly afterwards said he felt better, and expressed a wish to go to Christchurch, and on obtaining leave he started off to walk to Rakaia, some eleven or twelve miles, as though nothing were the matter with him. He was to return on the Monday following, but he did not make his appearance till a week after, thus showing no particular haste to get back. The probability •appears to be that he has engaged himself to someone in another part of the district.