SOLDIER DISAPPEARS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10279, 14 May 1919, Page 5

SOLDIER DISAPPEARS

THE INQUIRY CONTINUED. " "The" inquiry into the..circumstances attending the disappearance of Rifleman John Russell, N.Z.R.8., from the Wellington-Lyttelton ferry steamer on ifchie-' night of October 24th-25th, was continued yesterday. Major *,E. G. IJuine,*; R.N.Z.A., was the president, .and the following points were cqnsidered.:nr(l) Is it reasonable to suppose that the abovenamed soldier lost his life between Wellington and Lyttelton on the' night of October 24th-25th, (2) Was the soldier's medical and. mental condition such as to necessitate a special escort being detailed to ensure .his., safety on■ the voyage? (3) Was. an adequate escort detailed? {4) the escort, if one was dotailefl, discharge his or their duties efficiently? (o) Was any member of tho New Zealand Military - Force"" guilty of neglior in any other way culpable in connection with the disappearance *of this soldier?.

i . Staff-Sergeant W. H. M. Stovems, * who accompanied Russell on the journey; in- continuing his evidence, stated that when 'ho. searched the ship, after missing Russell, itl was -daylight. : He k , was of opinroir that Russell could not"''

have thrown himself overboard unobserved. Riussell, on being taken oil board, Boomed to be in a normal state, „an 4 madft, ,no. resistance. At. times. Russejl .seemed queer and talked oE an imaginary woman, and he' (witness) tthen.Jcept.a. en him. „Qn, Russell's fina.l disapiiearanco,.. he madJe three disiiuot efforts to trace him, and on these proving unsuccessful he did not pursue inquiries any further on tho return trip. It was part of his-duty to see that Russse.il'arrived safely at Hanmer- ""* ""' *"*; .William John Hotking, butcher on the:Mararoa,' said that he -knew Ruesell and recollected the occasion of" Ms 'disappearance. Prior to the sailing of the jVpsselie. conversed with .a. soldier, who told, liim that he was the secoild man to take this, patient to a hospital,' as he had'escaped from the first man. Ho (Hocking) met this soldier at the galley later.in.the evening, and was asked if he, the patient anywhere. He .replied, "No," and-was • informed by the soldier tiiat he was not going to worry himself over the patient, for if he (the-patient) went over the" side he was not going over after him. Witness had seen Russell two or three times up to 10.30 p.m. walking along the low%r deck alone, and lat«r, about 2 or 3 o'clock, Russell passed his room, calling out, "Where is that woman?" Russell looked unstrung, and on every occasion that witness noticed him he was alone. ■- Tho inquiry was further, adjourned.