MOKAU MOTOR MYSTERY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 33, 9 June 1915, Page 2

MOKAU MOTOR MYSTERY.

BOATMAN'S DISAPPEARANCE. I On Wednesday, 2nd inst. (writes the Mokau correspondent of the News), Murdo Stewart left Messrs Chambers Bros', homestead for Mr. i Swainson's homestead, in his launch '"Jane," with a quantity of timber that had broken away during a flood. Mr Swainson's place is at the top end of Mokau River, and launch traffic can only be carried on in the top reaches during a flood; even then, owing to the many had rapids and I snags, it is very dangerous. However, Mr Steward arrived at Mr 'Swainson's at about 5 p.m., and, after discharging, had tea, and was told by Mr Swaiuson that he had better stop :the night and go down in the morning, but Stewart persisted in going 'down that night. On Thursday 'morning the cook at Messrs Chambers Bros.'' woolshed noticed the (launch on the other side of the river, 'and, thinking Stewart had come clo.vn, and not wauling to disturb Miiyone Ir.d gone to sleep on board. On calling out, however, he got no reply. He then got one of the station hands and proceeded across the ri\;er, and found the launch empty. The lights in the cabin and engineroom were burning, but, on examination, they found the engine was out of gear, being switched oil" at the battery, but the benzine was turned on, with some still in the tank, and, on being tried, the engine was found to be in order and ran satisfactorily, whilst the launch was not damaged in nny way whatever. What lias happened to Stewart is a mystery. No trace of him can be found. Parties have been out on land as well as on the river. Launches have been up and down, but at time of writing no sign of Stewart lias been discovered.