UNKNOWN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8108, 12 May 1906, Page 3

UNKNOWN

DISAPPEARANCE OF A CLERGYMAN. MFSTEBIOUB INFORMATION. \ Beceived 11,11.5 p.m. Pmth, May 11. A sensation hai been caused by the disappearance of the Ser T. A. James, Minister ?f the Albauy Methodist Church, anft an ex-President of the conference. He left on April Ist for a ■onth's holiday. After visiting friends in Victoria he went to Sydney, and from there he wrote to his wife on April 16th. He mentioned he had formed a friendship with & man named Hunter, at whose lodging! he was staying. On May 2nd Mrs James received a wire from Sydney signed "Hnnter," stating that her husband had been accidentally drowned, and the tody had not been recovered.' Seven days later a letter arrived from j Hnnter dated April 26th, purporting; to have been written at sea. The writer stated that James was Bailing in Sydney harbor on Apfil 18th, fell overboard, and was drowned. He gives lengthy details, and expressed regret that he did not report earlier. He added" that he was afraid to report to the police, besides which he had excellent reasons for not being brought into prominence just now, and could not be delayed on the journey he was about to' make.

inquiries were set afootj et Sjiney, and showed that that the telegram and letter were posted at Sara en April 23rd, with a letter to the Postmaster at Sydney asking him to forward them to Albany. The letters, were written is a cramped or disguised hond. The Sydney police hare no information of a case of drowning which would correspond with the date given, and all the bodies recovered from the harbour were identified. The whole affair is shrowded in mystery.

IS JAMEd A DESERTER ? Beceived 12, 1.11 a.m. Sydhby, May 11. No trace has so far been discovered of James' movements in Sydney. ■Pmih, May 2. It i& started that prior to hu departure, Junes raised a considerable sum on hif had farther money wired to Melbourne.