AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8138, 12 May 1906, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE. WHOLE AFFAIR SHROUDED ' IN MYSTERY. Received May 11, 11.5 p.m. PERTH, May 11. A sensation nas been caused by the disappearance of the Rev. T. A. James, Minister of the Albany iViethodist Ohurob, and an ex-Presi-dent of the Conference. He left on April Ist for a month's holiday. After visiting friends in Viotoria be ( weut to Sydney. From ! tbere be wrote to bis wife on April 16th, and mentioned that he had formed a freiodsbip with a man named Hunter, at whose lodgings he was staying on the way. On May 2nd Mrs James received a wire from Sydney, signed Hunter, stating that the Rev. James had been accidentally drowned, and that tbe body bad not been recovered. Seven days later a letter arrived from Hunter, dated April 26tb, purporting tn be. written at sea. The writer stated that he and the Rev. James were sailing in Sydney Harbour on April 18fcb and the Rev. James fell overboard and was drowned. Hunter gave lengthy details and expressed regret that he had not reported tbe matter earlier. He adds that be was afraid to report the affair to the police; besides, be bad excellent] reasons for not being brought into prominence just now, and could not be delayed on the journey be was about to make. In tbe meantime inquiries Were put afoot in Sydney, which showed that the telegram and letter were posted in Suva on April 23rd, with a letter to the Postmaster in Sydney, asking him to forward them to Albany. The letfcera were written in a cramped or didguised band. The Sydney police have received no information of a case of drowning «vhi3h will correspond with the date given. All tbe bodies recovered in the Harbour have been identified. The whole affair is shrouded in mystery; ' . -■■

A JUDGMENT REVERSED. Reoeivea May 11, 11.5 p.m. SYDNEY, May 11. The High Court, in reversing the judgment of the Lower Court laid down that the information supplied olients by a Trade Protection Society was privileged, even if it were incorrect, eo long as oare was exorcised and malice not shown. It lay with those respecting whom the information was "supplied to prove malice.

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