STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF A STATE SCHOOL TEACHER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3620, 17 February 1883, Page 4

STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF A STATE SCHOOL TEACHER.

Mr Han-is, the head master of a State scnoolatßoeohworth, Victoria, against whom proas charges were recently preferred by the E ligation department, disappeared in a remirkrtblo manner on the River 1 arra, on Monday afternoon, and fears are entertained for hbVafety. An inquiry into fie charges referred to has just been concluded. Harris wa3 summoned to attend the inquiry, but he did not put in an appearance, and it was conducted in his absence. In connection with his disappearance, it appears that at about one o'clock on Monday afternoon lie hired a boat from Mr Gardner, near the Sir Henry Barkly Hotel, and proceeded up tho river, taking with him a towel and soap. Mr Gardner, junior, who watched _ Harris row away, saw that a boat containing a number of youths was following him. Some considerable timo elapsed, nnd as young Gardner was going out to search for Harris, who had not returned, ho observed the boat with tho youths in it coming down the river, having- Harris's boat in tow. When they arrived at tho boat sheds, Gardner examined the bout hired by Hams, and found his clothes in it and a towel and soap. The pockets of the trousers were turned inside out. Gardner asked the youths what they had done with the clothe.?, ashe knew that Harris possessed a goodsumof money when he left. Ono of thoir number replied that they had not touched them, and they all then rowed away, and nothing has since been heard of thera._ A letter was found in the pocket of Harris's trousers, addressed to MrZineke, M.L.A., in which the writer complained of being badly treated by tho Education department, and stated his intention of staying away from Beechworth until the charges against him ■were specified. The detectives are now engaged in endeavoring to elucidate tho whole affair, but up to the present thoir efforts have not met with success. Their first effort is to discover the youths who were observed in the boat following Harris, as it is quite possible Home foul play may have taken place._ Tho policehave been busily engaged dragging the river, but up to a late hour last night Harris's body 'had not been found.—Age, jßiiuary 24.