A SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 192, 9 May 1919, Page 5

A SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE

~s— r MILITARY INQUIRY CONTINUED. Tho inquiry regarding • the disappearance of Rifleman John Russell 'from the Wellingtori-Lyttelton ferry steamer on the night of October 24-25 was continued at tho Drill Hall yesterday. Major P. 6. Hume, R.N.Z.A., presided. Captain Louis Levy, N.Z.M.C, said that he remembered being .asked tojrrovide an attendant to take Russell to Hanmer. The relative who niado the request did not say that the man had shown suicidal tendencies or symptoms of insanity. A man suffering in this way, wonld not have been sent to Hiuimor at all. He ordered that an' attendant should be provided, since it was the rule of the office to meet the wishes of the next-of-kin, The Court: When you were approached as a medical officer by the civilians nna were satisfied yourself that it'was enly a case of unwillingness to proceed to Haimier, why did you not refer them to the military police, whose duty it would bB to anest Russell if he did not proceed? ■ ' . Witness: Because many men suffer from minor degrees of neurasthenia and shell-shock without being aware of that, and possibly I considered this mnn would come under one pf those headings and so judged it would' be more advisable to have someone to accompany him. William Henry Stephens, staff .eergeant of the N.Z.E.F., home service ' branch, stated that he had been ordered to accompany Russell to Hanmer. He took the man aboard- and occupied a neighbouring berth. Russell got up several times during the night and ehowed signs of mental disturbance. He talked of a woman who was calling him. Between 5 and 5.30 a.m. he went to the lavajory. Witness accompanied him. Russell managed to elude witness at the lavatory. Witness made a search without success, and informed the officers of the ship. The Court adjourned until Tuesday morning 'next. ' . •