MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 212, 5 September 1903, Page 5

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

REV. J. M. MARSHALL MISSING

GRAVE FEARS ENTERTAINED.

(.By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day. ;

A painful sensation was caused in scholastic circles yesterday by the spreading of a rumour that the Rev. J. M. Marshall, of Wanganui Collegiate School, and a well-known cricketer, was missing. Mr Marshall has been for some years chaplain and first assistant master at the college, and was recently appointed acting-headmaster during the absence of Mr Empson. He came to Christchureh ten days ago to meet the Wanganui School football team for the annual matches with Christ's College and Wellington College. It has been Mr Marshall's custom iv past years to travel with the team, but this year he was in .Dunedin when the team left.

A few months ago he suffered from an attack of rheumatic fever, and a holiday was necessitated by the state of his health. Mr Marshall came to Christchureh as the guest of the Rev. Mr Cocks, vicar of Opawa, and an old fellowstudent. Tli.s friends noticed that his health and spirits were not .so good as usual-

On Wednesday morning Mr Marshall ate a good breakfast at about half-past nine, and afterwards strolled into the vicarage grounds. A member of the family later saw him go out of the house, and it was supposed that lie was going for a walk. At lunch-time he had not reappeared, and he was expected to return to the vicarage during the afternoon, but there was no sign of him, and all inquiries were of no avail.

Most of the members of the Wanganui football team left Lyttelton for Wellington by the Mararoa in the evening, but Mr 'Marshall did not accompany them. His friends now beicame very anxious. The police were informed on Thursday, and yesterday search parties were out on the hills. The river was also dragged, and inquiries were made wherever" the missing gentleman might have been. No words, however, could be obtained, and his disappearaneeis complete. A representative of the "Lyttelton Times." who travelled to Wellington by the Mararoa, telegraphed last night: "Marshall is said to have been booked by the Mararoa, and his name appears on the passenger list; but though I knew him well I did not see him on ■board."