WAIPAWA AFFAIR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1788, 20 June 1906, Page 4

WAIPAWA AFFAIR.

STRANGE DEVELOPMENT.

Napier, Monday. Tbo Wolstenholmo mystery is solved. It beoamo known yestorday that tho missing man had hcon s.on in Wellington on Friday, aDd that his family had boon informed oi tho fact. From careful inquiry I havo elicited the following particulars, whioh eoem auth n tio :—Mr Tookor, who was omployed at Oohi’a mill, whioh was burnod down ro» conily, was in WollingtoD, saw Mr Wols tenbolmo in a Iramoar and spoke to him. Mr Wo's'.ocbolme had bruises on his face, and Beetnod in a rather stupid ocndition. Mr Ticker know nothing of the accidmt that had happened until his return on Saturday night, when ho com munioated with tho missing man’s family. Thoro is no rea-on to suppose that Mr Tocker is mistaken, for 119 was well acquainted with Mr Wolstenholmo. Credonee must bo attaohed to the story when it is stated that a man without a collar, answering to tho dtsoription of Mr W LtiDholmo boardid the 8 am traiD ot Tt-kipau on Thursday. Mr Tasker, the guard, was not acquaintal with Mr Wolstenhclme, but, from particulars furnished to him, he has little dcubs that the Takapau passenger and Mr Wolstenholmo are identical.

It is surmieod that Mr Wolstenholmo is suffering from a slight o noussion of tho brain, and although rational enough to converse upon ordinary topios, has no recolliction of what has transpired sinoo he left Waipukurau.

Instances of such rocurronoea are common onough. In fact one happened to a well-known foot! alter here quite reoeDtly. While playing ut Ormondvillo ho got kicked, but played through the game, and seemed rational rmugh upon bis return borne. It was found, however, that he had sustained concussion of the brain. Up to too present ho has not the sligh'Gjt recollection of what tiaaspired on the day of tho accident, beyond tho faot of buying a railway ticket as be set out on his journey. Where Mr Wolitsnhclme was on the Wednesday night cr bow he got to Takapau are only matters of conjecture. It is knewn tbat ho had a fair sum of money with him. MaDy think that beiDg half dazed ho mado his way to Wellington with tho idea of attending Mr Siddou’s funeral, haviDg come from the same part of England as tbo late Prc* mier.

Tho news that Mr Wolstonholme has been found eliva when a’ 1 hope was abandoned will bo gladly received by his relatives and friends, who have passed a very anxious end trying time. II s wife, who did not abandon hepo until Saturday, is complexly proetra'.od. Tbo Wuipukurau Gorge was literally dotted with men yesterday, when hundreds wore searching for the body. Strong contingents were sent from Takapau, Onga Ongo, Waipukurau and Waipawa, who, cf course, as ovents have turned out, soarohed in vain.

Mcssis Bibby and Pettit loft for Wellington by tbo express this morning fo bring Mr Wolstenholme back. —Napier Telrg-apb.