A STRANGE STORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1498, 4 March 1887, Page 2

A STRANGE STORY

Wellington, Maroh 3

A. L. Levy was interviewed to day and invited to explain tho reaenn of his mystori' us disappsaranoe, He had nothing to say except that since he left Wellington a year ago until last Monday he had no recollection of anything. He denied that he had gone off with a young woman, and •aid he did not remember goiug on board the steamer here. He does not remember writing a letter received here from him, though he believes it is his. Following are extracts from the interview: —

While giving an absolute denial to statements and accusations made m connection with bis leaving Wellington suddenly, he freely alluded to the occurrence, but de olined to give a detailed explanation of what occurred until after consultation with a friend, whose advice he considered necessary, as it was possible legal proceedings might arisa out of the affair, and the ill-advised publication 0 certain particulars would perhaps militate against hia case. " Firstly, then," said Mr Levy, "I deny emj hatically that I went with any girl or anything of that kind. There is not a word of truth m that statement. The girl whose mmc is connected with tnlne m this unwarrantable way left for Chriatchuroh fer reasons of her own a month before. She waß a friend of my wife's, and before getting her situation at the Centml Hotel lived with us a week or ten days. I had known her from childhood, and Bhe and my children were brought up together. Then, again, what reason|had I to bolt 1 I waß not m debt. My accounts were all right, aud t was as happy as a man could be m his home. All I have to say of my going away is that I know nothing about It, and knew nothing about It till I, as it Hero, oame to myself m Sydney last Monday week. Though asked by my brother-in-law to wait for replies from New Zealand •■ to whether I had better come back here or not, I said I would go home at once ; I had nothing to be afraid of. ' How do I account for my going away 1 Well I was under some strong influence, of what kind I don't pretend to s^y, and I know the fact is indtacribable, but it was only what I had been threatened with p*eviously after the closing of these hotels- [Tuis was alluding to the olosiog of the Army and Navy and Prince of Wales Hotels.] I had been warned en several occasions, but had laughed at the threats. I have no recollection of writing to my wife and mother from Sydney. I was told I did so and what I said la my letter, but I do not remember anything about it. What I am told I said, however, oddly enough, concurs with a dream — a kiud of nightmare— l had constantly after receiv. log the threats, and since my departureI don't remember any detectives coming to me at Sydney. I was told they had been looking for me. Where did I go when I got to the other side, and what did I do ? Well, you may think it strange, but I cannot tell you. I have no racolleoaion beyond laßt Monday week; No, I did not call m anywhere for a temperanoe drink on the day I must have gone on board the steamer, so that I was not drugged m that way. The last thing I remember Is being m Willis street, on my wey home to tea. All the rest Is a blank. Was on the wharf that day, looking about a case I was .interested m, m which a brother was being made to find support for his slßter. The Idea of my relabelling a girl's boxes, and all that, seeing that I Wae as well known as the town clock, Is absurd. I must have known that I should be traced at onoe. I do not know how I oould have got on the steamer without having been seen. The whole affair is a mystery, eicept that I believe a certain threat was carried out against me, and I was moved by an influence which made me unaccountable for my aotions. This is all I fell justified iv saying at present. I know it sounds Incredible *nd unsatisfactory, but It is the truth."

To understand some of the foregoing it should be mentioned that Levy was formerly Secretary cf the New Zealand Temperance Alliance here.