MISSING SOLDIER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10275, 9 May 1919, Page 3

MISSING SOLDIER

RIFLEMAN RUSSELL’S FATE

FURTHER EVIDENCE IN MARAROA INQUIRY.

‘ Further evidence regarding the disappearance of No. 37865 Rifleman John Russell: from the Wollington-Lyitelton ferry .steamer Alararoa on October-25th was heard before the military court if inquiry at the Drill Hall, Buckle street, yesterday. The court was comprised, as, follows : —'Major F. G. Hume, R.N-Z.A. Major W. G. Ashworth, 6ih (Alanawatu) Mounted Rifles,; and Captain W. AI. Bell (N.Z. Staff! Corps;. Mr John Hutchison represented the deceased’s relatives.. Louis Levy, captain, of the New Zealand Medical Corps, said that two civilians .saw him at his office with a request to supply an attendant to aeeompany Russell on his' journey down south. The relatives explained to witness that Russell Was not keen on going to Hanmcr. He had no recollection of . a statement • being made by the civilians that they had endeavoured to get Russell to see Colonel Morice, though that may have been "stated; Witness’s impression was that, as Russell was not keen' on ‘going 1 to•‘tianinct-, i.t’would be advisable to have an attendant widi him to 'ensme that ho got there; * Me had up;'^collection,.pf the civilians mentioning that Russell showed suicidal intentions or had asked for poison.' 'Hewas sure that if they had done so ho vvould not have allowed Russell to. proceed to Hanmer. The ren son why. he sent a man with Russell was. because it was a rule of the office to as lar as possible meet the wishes of the . nest-bt-kin. Had be gathered from the ..interview that Russell showed any symptoms of ~ insanity, witness should have asked the. civilians to bring the man before him. ; He did not remember* any mention of drink. . WiUiam H. M. Stevens, staif-sergeant N.Z.E.F.'; home service, stated that the duty of .escorting the deceased south devolved upon linn. On the way down Rnssell acted very peculiarly/ and. was Continually, asking for a certain woman. During the night, he was very restless, and would not remain in- bed. He ’ also continued to ask for'the imaginary woman. Both witness *and Russell went to bed about 8 p.n,., but. the latter was restless and would, not stay in his cabin. .. He was npt talking to witness, and ’Ke .could get him to say nothing except about'the woman whom he thought was calling him. Between 5 o’clock and 6 o’clock-in, the morning;■■ Russell .got out of, his .bed again and went to the lava ory, witness following him,. .■. Both weut into different compartments.. Witness came: out less than three, minutes' later, and found 'the door of Russell’s compart,, ment ajar and Russell gone. Witness made a thorough search of the vessel, but could find no trace of the missing man. ."When-.the,,.yessgl. l.qrriyod at Lyttelton, witness informed a constable of the occurrence, imd the pair made another search,: without avail. It was quite npparent that Russell had not disembarked at'“Lyttelton; When on the way back from Lyttelton on the Alaruroil;. it was''suggested.: that Russell, might have be eh hidden on the vessel' By members of!the crew. In support of this, jit was stated bv the. men. that prior’to’tho war Russell had been trimming coal .on the ferrv boats and was well known in the slokehold. At this stage the court adjourned ti.l 10-a.ra. on Tuesday.