MYSTERIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 998, 17 September 1903, Page 2

MYSTERIES.

ANOTHER MAN DISAPPEARS. Pc* Press Association. Wanganui, last night. The police received word to-day from Opunake to the effect that Harry Wagstaff, postmaster and storekeeper at Pihama, near Opunake. left home last Friday with the avowed intention of proceeding to New Plymouth for medical treatment. On Saturday a letter was posted in Wellington at 4.30, addressed to the constable at Opunake, stating that his body would be found in Wellington harbor, and requesting the constablo to break the news to Wagstaff’s brother. Inquiries are being made in Wellington as to whether the missing man was seen there.

Wellington, last night. The police in Wellington have made inquiry in regard to the missing man Wagstaffj mentioned in Wanganui telegrams to-day, and are disposed to look upon the probability of suicide as doubtful. Christchurch, last night. The inquest on the body of the Rev. J. M. Marshall, who disappeared from Opawu on the 2nd inst., and whose body was found in the Heathcote yesterday, was held this morning. The Rev. Mr Cocks stated that deceased while staying with him seemed in his usual health, but more silent than usual. On one occasion ho spoke of his troubles and the troubles of the Wanganui College, which worried him considerably, and witness thought, from his knowledge of the facts, unduly. The evidence showed that when the body was found the clothes were not in any way disarranged, and there were no marks of violence. Dr Marshall, brother of the deceased, stated that his brother always had a weak heart, and on several occasions fainted. The Coroner said there was no evidence whatever pointing to suicide or to death inflicted by another. The jury returned a verdict that deceased came by his death by drowning, and that there was no evidence to show how he became immersed.