RECTOR DISAPPEARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 441, 24 August 1928, Page 9

RECTOR DISAPPEARS

VILLAGERS MYSTIFIED FOUL PLAY NOT SUSPECTED PROBABLE NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (United P.A.—By Telegraph Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Pres 3 Association.) Reed. 10 a.m. LONDON, Thursday. The police investigated the disappearance of the Rev. Franklin Hutchinson, rector of the little village of Doddinghurst, Essex, whose mysterious departure caused anxiety. They went to the rectory and found nothing unusual. There was no reason whatever to suspect foul play. It is considered that Mr. Hutchinson is suffering from a nervous breakdown, and tbat it is likely he will turn up in Ireland. It is believed that, he is impecunious. His butler, Strawn, was also missing, but the police ascertained that he is looking for a job at Stroud, and that he is quite all right. Mr. Hutchinson lived in the rectory with the butler and Miss Tricket, his secretary. He should have resumed duty after a holiday a fortnight ago, but nothing has been heard of him except for a letter he wrote to the bishop’s chaplain announcing his intention of resigning. Miss Tricket says the rector told her he was going on his vacation to Ireland. The missing clergyman is married, but he had not been living with his wife of late. Mr. Joseph Morgan, accountant, a friend of Mr. Hutchinson, says the rector was worried in connection with his wife. A dispute between them led to proceedings in the High Court last year. There was a considerable sum of money awaiting the rector, said Mr. Morgan, as soon as he had complied with certain legal formalities, but he had received no word from him since he left the rectory. The “Daily Express” says Mr. Hutchinson received £360 just before his departure from the rectory. The statement that Mr. Hutchinson is married has surprised the people of the village, as he was generally believed to be a bachelor. HINT OF SUICIDE Mr. A. G. Weymodth, who was the joint principal of St. Peter’s College. Lewisham, with Mr. Hutchinson, says that before the rector went away he (Mr. Weymouth) received a letter from him hinting that he intended to commit suicide, and saying he had left him £I,OOO. Mr. Weymouth has examined the books at the rectory and found lhat all Mr. Hutchinson’s property is mortgaged, and that he is penni % >s. A number of villagers and journalists assembled outside the rectory early this morning owing to rumours that there were sensational developments.