MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 160, 2 April 1921, Page 8

MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR

A MAN DISAPPEARS te FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED BY POLICE - . By Telegraph.— Press Association. ’ Auckland, April 1.. ; The mysterious disappearance of Patrick Richard Elliott, about 35 years of age, a platelayer, employed on the Taupo Totara Timber Company’s railway, from / Ohgaroto last Sunday, is being investigated by tho police. Foul piny is feared. ; Ongaroto is a small milling township i about seven miles from Atiamuri. Elliott lived in a whare near tho stiltion. A young Maori, Hakaraia To Kahn, a returned soldier and platelayer ; employed by the same company, occupied an adjoining whare. On Sunday both men wont shooting along the banks of the Waikato Hirer. They railed at a farm and borrowed a sporting dog, El- . liott, it is stated, promising to return for tea. During the afternoon several shots were heard in the vicinity of the river. Elliott did not call in for tea as promised, and as he was not seen by Tuesday morning tho neighbours became anxious, and a search was instituted. The ' country is wild, rugged, and difficult to ‘ search. ( , No trace of tho missihg man was found until a dog with ono of the parly discovered a dead wild duck on the bank , of tho river a short distance above some rapids. Closer investigation revealed bloodstains on stones near the water, also;on tea-tree for over twenty yards back from the river. Dragging operations have boen m pro- . gfress, bitt without success. * They will bo resumed to-day with appliances suited ’ to the deep water. ■ The Maori stated to the police that he and Elliott returned home after being : ’•'‘'out shooting. Next 'morning he saw " Elliott in Elliott’s whare. The Maori then went to Mokiii and returned to 0n.7 jarito, on Tuesday morning. He was asked where Elliott was, and stated that he saw him last in the whare before leaving for Mokai the previous day. Elliott is reported to have had a largo sum of money. In his possession. Ite suffered from .neuritis, and there is a possibility of his having committed sui- . cide or of having accidental!.',' shot' himself or fallen into the river, but the police ,view is that there has been foul play. Some of the tea-tree is to he examined by experts to ascertain whether the ; blood is human or animal.