SOLDIER DISAPPEARS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10285, 21 May 1919, Page 3

SOLDIER DISAPPEARS

THE INQUIRY CONTINUED

Yesterday at the Buckle street barracks, the circumstances attending the .disappearance of Kifleman John Rus sell irom the ferry steamer Mararoa. in October last, were further investigated. Fred. William Rutliberg,.fore-cabin steward on the Mararoa, said he saw Staff-Sergeant Stepnens and deceased Russell as thov came aboard, about 5.15 p.m. He did not notice anything unusual about Russell or Stephens. On ins way out from tea, wlion passing the pantry, Russell said to witness: "Where is that- woman that is calling out: 1 " Ho did not take any notice of Russell and passed on. About 6.30 p.m., when witness in the bar, Stephens came down and had. a drink. Ho was alone, and only had the ouo drink, which witness thought was n glass of beer. Stephens was not in the bar more than five minutes, and on leaving romarked that ho was going away to look for his patient. Russell had no drink at all, and witness did not see any more of them. Between 6 and 6.30 tlio nest morning, Stephens camu to witness and seated that he had lost his man. Stephens and witness thereupon made a thorough search of all the steerage part of the vessel, including the oxtra accommodation, but did not search the first saloon. After the-: soaroii, witness went up-to the bridge himself and reported to Captain Cameron. He asked witness t if he had made a search. Captain Cameron could not leave the bridge, as ho was nngivaiting the vessel at that time.

Examined by the court, ltuthberg said ho was in charge of the steerage bar, and Russell could not get a drink from thoro unilC3s through, witness'. Russell could have got drink from tho saloon bar without witness knowing it. Soldiers frequently took liquor on board with them, and anyone might get drink from a comrade. Up to the time when witness last saw Russell, ihe did not think ho had anv drink. When Stephens reported to witness that he had lost his man, there was a number of people about the ship. Witness stated that it was quite possible that a man eou!d_ jump overboard during tho ■ !;?ht. or in nhe early morning, without being observed. During his search of the vessel ho did not actually go into rue. firemen's quarters or the stokehold, but ho asked, tho firemen at each placo, and he was quite satislied that Jiusseil was not. there. Witness placed no credence in the rumour that Russell might havo been stowed away on the ship Witness did not aeo Russell wandering around the ship at all, or notice any ptculiar actions on his part, with the exception of his one remark (already mentioned) when passing the pantry. After Russell mado the remark, someone whom witness could not now remember told him that Russell was suffering from shell-shock. Major Hume, president of 'the court (to witness): Can you explain to the court why, with so many soldiers on board, you so vividly remember Stephens coming to tho bar and havins onlv tho one drink?

Witness: Yes; it was a rough m>ht, and 1 had the bar open only for about half aa hour, and sold only -two drinks -one to Stephens and one to somebodv elso.

The president: If the escort of' a prisoner or patient applies on board ship to havo his charge locked up, can chis be effected?

Witness: Yes, they can give him a separate stateroom, the usual ' procedure being to give the key of the stateroom (o the escort.for tho period of the voyajje. The court then adjourned until <thiu morning.