A Missing Passenger.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7797, 13 April 1905, Page 2

A Missing Passenger.

—-o——— SUPPOSED CASE OF SUICIDE. The disappearance of a passenger from the s.s. Rurawa under distressing circumstances, which point to a case of suicide, was reported to the police early on Wednesday morning, the victim being a single man named I Herbert Uower,,residing with his purcnts in the Patea disluict.

It appears that Mr Alfred Gower and .his brother, the deceased, were passengers from Onchunga to 'New Plymouth. They were returning home to Pateu, after a three wcvfcs' holiday trip to Rotorua for thb benefit of Herbert's health. The doctor had informed Mr Alfred (lower that he had better get his brother noma as soon us possible, and as he aad been suffering from nervous depression for some time to keep a strict watch upon his movements. Accordingly Mr (lower had his brother accommodated in the sainr cabin as himself, two other men occupying the remaining berths. De 3 ceased suffered a good deal from sea. ■ sickness on the ■way down from Oiiehuuga. About -1.30 a.m., or a lit-

ile over half an hour before the arrival of the steamer at the breakwater, Mr Gower saw his brother Herbert lying down in his bunk apparently asleep, and then dropped oil to sleep himself. On awaking in half an hour's time, he discovered that Herbert had left thu cabin in the meantime. Anxious as l to his whereabouts, Mr Gower proceeded to look round for his brother, but finding no trace of him reported the disappearance to Captain Norbury. A thorough search was instituted on board the steamer, which arrived alongside the wharf at 3 a.m., but there was no sign of the missing

man. All his clothes, with the exception of shirt and trousers whicli he was wearing when he retired to rest, were still in the cabin. There was the usual watchman on duty at the gangway when the vessel breasted tho wharf, and the missing man could not have got on the wharf unobserved. Consequently there is very little- doubt that the deceased gave way to the implse of self-destruction, and jumped overboard shortly before the vessel reached New Plymouth. This is borne out by the fact that the deceased attempted some months ago. to cut his throat, since when his con-' dition has given his friends a good deal of anxiety. Considerable sympathy will be extended to them in the tragic bereavement. The police arc keeping a sharp look out, in tho hope that the body will be washed ashore.