TRAGEDY ON THE VENTURA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 107, 6 May 1913, Page 2

TRAGEDY ON THE VENTURA.

A NEWSPAPER ȣATCK. AMERICANS VTSIT TO AUSTRALIA. SAN FRANCISCO, April 26. Mr. Perc3' Drew, believed to be a wealthy resident af Bridgeport, Connecticut, poisoned himself while being taken off the mail steamer Ventura yesterday, in charge of the Federal officers. There was some trouble about landing, and Mr. Drew's wife, formerly :i Miss Margaret Fortescue, to whom he was married in Australia, was held at Angel Island, the immigration depot, by the authorities. The question of her right to enter the United States is said to be the reason.

Drew was married in Sydney ac a result of a newspaper advertisement.

"WANTED to .Many Protectant, colonial Girl, brunette, by young man (27), of good family, two iirst-claes references, returning to United States April 5. Please state age, and an&wcr in time for iboat. enclosing photo, and address.—P.MJ).. G.P.0."

This advertisement, which appeared in a Sydney newspaper on Tuesday, April 1, contains the germ of a romance which , ended in tragedy and lias led to the leisurely repentance of another Sydney girl who rushed into matrimony.

The initials "P.M.D." were .those of Percy M. Drew, an Amerieira citizen from Connecticut, who was only a few days in Sydney when he succeeded in finding a girl willing to have him as a hoeband, and to marry him on the spot. (Mr. Percy Drew was of the true American type—tall, lean, smartly dressed, and a persuasive way of guessing and caleulatang that would turn almost any girl's head. When tic spoke about his ranches in Connecticut, he just made a woman's head spin round. He was a man with a personality and a bjwtle, and apparently he had money to burn.

He only arrived in Sydney from New Zealand on Easter Monday. March 24, by the Ulimaroa, having booked his passage in Wellington for San Francisco by the Oceanic Steamship Co.'s steamer, which sailed from .Sydney on April f>.

Drew had 12 days at Tim disposal in the height of the holiday season. For seven days he was (juite satisfied with All the Rood things Sydney could provide in the way of amusement, and ■when a man with a hustle on reaches Sydney fit Easter time he can get all the jollification of a life-tnnc. On the eighth day he uppears to have been (suddenly imbued with ,-v desire to marry: ami preferred to advertise for a wife in preference to making a long journey through life in search of an affinity. His desire was widely advertised, and the number of applicants Willing to throw in their lot with Mr. Perry M. Drew, of Connecticut, filled -a fair-siwd muil- .leg. He chose one, and rushed excitedly into. the shipping office, and throwing some gold on the counter, exclaimed: "1. want to book a for my wife!" The booking clerk immediately wrote out the ticket. That is all they know of Mr. and Mrs. Drew. At the wharf before the sailing day of the Ventura. Drew hustled flown and inquired: "Say. doe* this ship carry a chaplain among ite officers?" "Gikiss not." was the reply.

"Can you direct mc to the nearest Protestant parson? I'm a passenger by this ship, end I want to marry my wife -and bring her with inc." He was told by a man on the wharf to go to the Registrar-General's office. The happy couple were all smiles when the vessel caet off.

Mufflers for men. The new season's shipment hue opened Tip some (beautiful designs. See them.—Goo. Fowlds, Ltd.— (Ad.)

Singers, pulj-lic speafcers, reetters, know the value of " Nazol" in clearing the throat and removing hoarseness. A few drops of " Nazol" on lamp 6ugar just does it. Allow the sugar to dissolve very slowly between the cheeks and gums. —(Ad.) The shirt of the century is the neglige. Workmanship and taste are the best in .ours. —Geo. Fowlds, Ltd.—(Ad.) You want to take part In singing at the great Mission. Then get rid of the hoarseness and soreness of throat by taking a few drops of " Naaol" on lump sugar, and allow to dissolve elowly between the cheek and gums.—(Ad.) The foundation stones of this .business are quality, style, courtesy and value.— Best outfitters Tet. —Geo. Fowlds, Ltd (Ad.)

The famous "Roslyn" Writing Pad always in stock.—Smith and Cau**hey Ltd.—(Ad.) ° *

Sore throats and ihoaraeneas arc soon relieved with a few drops " Nazol" on lump-sugar. Place the sugar between the ciicek and gums, and allow to dissolve very slowly.—(Ad.)

What a great hat for dressy men! .'.The Velours are shown, and various chapes and colours is your fancy.—Geo Fowlds, Ltd.—(Ad.)

Cold in the Ihead, or nasal catarrh, is quickly relieved b.v " Naaol." Thousands