A MISSING SOLDIER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 203, 22 May 1919, Page 7

A MISSING SOLDIER

CASE OF RIFLEMAN RUSSELL,

The military inquiry into (he disappearance. of Rifleman John Russell, N.Z.U.F., from the ferry steamer Jiloraroa on the night of October 24-25, was continued yesterday morning. The members of the Court were Major F. O. Hume (president). Major W. G. Ashworth, and Captain W. M. Hell. Rose Amelia M'lntyre, wile of Rifleman Robert M'lntyre, N.Z.Fj.F., stated that when Rifleman Russell relumed from overseas in October, last ho went •tp stay at' her house. She had, known him before ho went to the war. After Russell had been in tho house "over a week, witness noticed Hint there wns something strange- about him. Ho said that witness and her husband were talicltis about him. all night, and "be added liint lie might as well jump out of the window and put an cud to himself. Witness observed a peculiar look-in hist eyes. That was tho fir.st ccasion on which she had over noticed anything wrong with. him. Witness's husband went to nsk Mr. Hutchison to come and see .Russell. During the three or four days that 'followed, witness saw little of Russell, but -when she ' did see him he appeared.to be talking to himself. Tho genoral impression witness had of Russell was that lw needed watching, as ha might do hiinself..an injury. She did not look upon him, however, as insane or dangerous. On his return from tho front he seemed if anything niort settled in his plaiis for the' future than he had 'been before leaving, for the war ; It was his intention to go "to Sydney to sec his ,mother. AVliile Russell 'was staying at witness's place he was at home a goc-d (leal. Ho never brought drink to the house, and witness never saw him intoxicated. Witness know of no reason at all for which Russell should have wished to disappear or commit suicide. Sho felt pretty sure that if Russell wcro still 'alive he would, h'.ivo written, to her. Russell had appeared to be more anxious to go and see his mother than to go (o llanmer. Ho had asked witness whether she could put him up on his return from Sydney, as, ho proposed to see his mother in Australia lifter his discharge, and then return to his old cecupa.tion in Wellington. ..Rifleman Robert M'lntyre, recalled, said that he never saw, Russell drunk while the latter was staying at his place. Russell never brought liquor to tho house. Witness- could not account for the confession attributed to Russell that he was suffering from tho effects of •drink.

The inquiry will be resumed this morning. ' .