PUBLIC OFFICIAL DISAPPEARS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 15, 13 October 1919, Page 4

PUBLIC OFFICIAL DISAPPEARS

AN OAMAKU MYSTERY. Rx TelcaraDh— Prp."B AmooleMob. Oamaru, October 12. The receipt of'letters'by several local residents yesterday afternoon written by A. G. Clarke, secretary of the OaiDani Repatriation Committee, caused a painful sensation. The purpose of the letters was to adviso the recipients that Mr. Clarke had put all his affairs in order as he was "about to depart from this wonderful world 'of love and hope," owing to his great trouble.. The police were communicated witli and a wide search instituted, with the result that Mr.' Clarke's hat and walking stick were found on the steps close to the water s edge at the end of the whiirf, just at the entrance to the harbour. Mr. Clarko, who was working in his office until 2' o'clock oil Saturday mornins, -arranged his business and private affairs in a most methodical fashion and left complete instructions as to tlie disposal of liis- possessions, and ajso made liis reports to date to the chairman of the Repatriation Committee. Mr. Clarke, who was last seen on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, informed the recipients of the letters that family reasons alone prompted him- to end his life: and although! a thorough search is being carried out. no traco of Clarke or liis body <i»n be found. "Mr. Clarke enlisted in Auckland in the Main Body, but as he was a competent bank official lie was kept back, with the .van); of sergeant-mnior, to do clerical duty. Ho eventually sacrificed his «tripos to go away with the Third Reinfnrceinenls. He look part in the Gnl'ipoli campaign, and was badly wounded, his leg being badly shattered. He spent long months in a hospital in England and ill* New Zealand, and suffered much from his leg, and only a few months ago had to undergo hospital, 'reatment. Clarke, who belongs to Auckland", was .appointed secretary of tlje Oamaru Repatriation Committee on the inauguration of the 6chenie, and lias proved a conscientious, capable, and popular officer, and the news of his intention to take his. life came as a. :pafnful shock to the whole community. Prior to hjs appointment-in the Repatriation Department Clarke was secretary to "the Oamaru Returned Soldiers' Association, and only the other day he won the junior championship Of the North Otago Golf Club.'