A SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 229, 21 June 1919, Page 8

A SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE

FINDINGS OF A MILITARY COURT.

The findings of the Military Court that inquired regarding l.lie disappearance of Jliilcman John liussell, K.Z.H.P., from the ferry steamer Mararoa.at sea on the of October 2't-25,*-1918, litis been promulgated. ftussel] was a returned soldier, suffering from the effects of strain on active service, and the evidence whowed that ho disappeared from the fillip at night; while proceeding under escort to the, military hospital at Haumer. On tho preceding night, while in charge of another escort, lie had cscapcd from tho ferry sloaimir Maori beforo the ship left tho AVellingloti wharf. The Court ban answered a series of fiueslions submitted to it for invest igar I ion. It considers il; reason; iblo In assume I hat liussell went overboard, I hough no person 'siiv tho occurrence. His menial condition hail made a. special efoorl; necessary, and tho escort provided was adequate. The first oscorl. Sapper Goodwin. d'idaot discharge his duties eflicienlly. The second oscorl, Staff-Sergeant Stephens, did discharge his duties ellicicnliy. Iln had no reason to beliovo that liussell conloniplatfld suicide, and lialnrally felt moderately secure, when tlio vessel was at sea. The Court considers it unfortunate that Stephens let J!us?ell out of liis sight, but Iho act was "excusable, as right up to that timo liussoll had shown no suicidal tendencies." The Court does not think that any member of the Neiv Zealand force.?, except Sapper Goodwin, was guilty 'of negligence or was in any other way culpable. Goodwin had charge of Russell on tho night before the disappearance.

The Court consisted of Major I<\ G. Hume (president), Jfo.ior W. G, Ashwoith and Captain W, M. Bell,