RECTOR VANISHES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1928, Page 2

RECTOR VANISHES

ENGLISH MYSTERY. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, August 22. There is a mysterious disappearance reported. It is that of the Reverend Franklin Hutchinson, the Rector of a little village, Doddingliurst, Essex, Ho formerly belonged to Bendigo, in Victoria, Australia. He lived in the rectory with a butler and with Miss Tricket, his secretary. He should have resumed duty after having a holiday, a fortnight ago, hut nothing has been heard of him except a letter sent to the Bishop’s Chaplain by Rev Hutchinson, announcing his intention to resign. The butler Pf the rectory, named Strawn, also is missing. Miss Tricket said that Rev Hutchinson told her that lie was going on a vacation to Ireland. Ho was married, but he had not been living with his wife recently.

WHAT FRIEND SAYS. LONDON, August 22. Mr Joseph Morgan, an accountant, who is a friend of the Rev. Hutchinson, says that the Rector was worried in connection with a dispute which led to proceedings between them in the High Court last year. He says: “ 1, as his friend and counsellor, know the whole of the circumstances of the case. I have been trying to get in touch with him. There is a considerable sum awaiting here as soon as he has complied with certain legal formalities, but 1 have not received any word since he left the Rectory. His total income was about £I6OO from the parish, from his share of the school and from his literary work.” The “Daily Express” states that the Rev. Air Hutchinson received £3OO just before his departure from the Rectory. LONDON, August 22. Though the police are reticent it will not he surprising if the Hutchinson mystery should develop on sensational lines. The strangest feature in the case is that the butler, Strawn’s, room at the Rectory was found in a state of the utmost disorder. No one saw Strawn leave the Rectory, thought it is believed that he accompanied the Rector in a motor car. Th e statement that tho Rector was married has surprised the village, as it generally was believed that lie was a bachelor. A POLICE SEARCH. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, August 23.

A. G. R. "Weymouth, who is jointprincipal of St. Peter’s College, Lewisham, with Hutchinson, says before Hutchinson was missing he received a letter from him hinting that he was making away with himself and that ho laid left Weymouth a thousand pounds. Weymouth examined the hooks at the Rectory and found all Hutchinson’s property was mortaged and Hutchinson penniless. A number of villagers and pressmen assembled outside tho rectory early in the morning owing to the rumours of sensational developments. The police commenced searching the house and grounds, covering eighteen acres at two o’clock, and are still continuing it fruitless, with no trace of Hutchinson. The letter had given an address at Torquay. Letters sent there wore returned, marked not known. THE MISSING CLERGYMAN. (Received this day at 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The Chef Constable of Essex announces that Strawn has been traced to Gloucestershire and that Hutchinson is probably in Ireland.