SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 75, 27 March 1903, Page 3

SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

BUIOIDSS IN parts Per Press Association. Received 26,11.45 p.m. London, March 26. Pendirg the o urt-ma' 'ial Sir Hector MecDonald did not tesume his com mand,

Sir West Ridgeway, in the Legislative Council, Ceylon, referred to the varj grave changes, and hoped that a searching court-martial would secure a complete md honorable tcquitt-1. Sir Hector, be said, went to England to consult his friends and superiors with his concurrence.

On the homeward voyage it was noticeable that one or two high personages from Oeylon, apparently, held themselves aloof from Sir Hector MacDonald, who seemed to prefer to sit alone at the centre table at meal times. Once or twice he declined invitations to sit next the oaptain. He spent much time at cbees, and there was not the slightest suspicion among the other of the Opbir's passengers that trouble was impending. Some Melbourne passengers invited him to preside at a (oaial gathering, but he delicately excused himself.

Testerday's announcement of a courtmartial created a consternation in chs Highlands where it was the sole topic. Everybody hoped his reputation would be retains 1 untarnished. There was a similar feeling in London. After his visit to England, Sir Hector Mac Donald alighted on the return journey at Paris on tbe 20th, and put up at the hotel Regini, Yesterday afternoon Sir Hector was found lying on the floor with his head resting against the dressing table wich a bullet in his temple. Received 27,1.16 am. Putis, March 26. Sir Hecter Mac Donald was cheerful nntil yesterday. He was last seen in the reading room at noon, silently distressed, and holding a Paris newspaper, published in English, containing a portrait and defamatory rumours. These were reproduced in yesterday's French newsPW: .

. Suddenly and quietly he went upstairs. The doctor* have oertifiai thifc he committed suicide under stress of mental trouble. The features of the dead soldier displayed perfect repose. Londok, March 26. Sir Hecter MacD-mald assured Lord Roberts and the Wat Office authorities that he was confident of biiag able to dear himself of the accusations against him, and his friends anticipated an acquittal. Universal sorrow is felt at the Clubs and in military circles. Beceived 27, 1.27 a.m. Stdhet, March 26. In English files received yesterday, a cable published in the Times states that Sir Hector MacDjnal d had been suddenly recalled by the military authorities.

The Calcutta Englishman, of February 21st, publishes the following from Oeylon : " Local curiosity is strong regarding Sir Hector abrupt departure, heightened by the fact that he left without a guard of honour, or any manifestation, either oficial or public."