THE MISSING CHILD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 204, 27 August 1918, Page 6

THE MISSING CHILD.

RESTORED TO PARENTS. LOCATED BY CANVASSERS. ! The mystery of the disappearance for four days of the three year-old daughter of -Mr and Mrs .lolui Clarke (20, Manning Street, Newton.) has been solved, and the anxiety of the parent* relieved with the restoration of the little one to her home. Several rumours had hi-en afloat concerning the child's whereabouts and her recovery, but these, on inquiry, were found to have no inundation, and it was not until late yesterday afternoon that the child was located by two women canTassers for signatures to the petition on the licensing i|uestion at the home of a soldier who is at present on active service. An erroneous message conveyed by telephone to the police incidentally led to the child being reeuguised by an Ullcle.

Mr. Murphy, grocer, of Newton, had been informed that the body of the child had been recovered from tho Domain dam. lie communicated the message to the police, and Constable Hunt, who was already engaged, along with two uncles of the child, in the search, was dispatched to investigate. The two uncles accompanied him. and they proceeded to the home of the child to" tind that the, rumour hail no foundation. They left the house, and were discussing the matter out. .ile. when they were joined by Constable Regan, who had also been searching, an 1 later by the two lady canvassers. After the information they had at their disposal had bceii thoroughy sifted by the party the ■women left to continue the canvassing, leaving the men standing on the footpath. Kntering the gate of a house opposite Mr. Murphy's grocery establishment, one of the two remained ~behind while the other proceeded to the open door. The woman, accompanied by a little girl and a boy were standing at the entrance. The woman said: "Oh, here's lac little girlie! I found her this morning at 11 o'clock at my back steps. -he was all wet anil muddy.*' The woman then proceeded to state that she had washed the child's clothing, and that she was just going to take her up to the police station. Thereupon the woman nearest tbe door, informed the other, who called to tho police, "There's a child here; I believe she is the one. tome and 'look at her." Tlie uncles immediately recognised the child as the daughter" of Mrs. Clarke. The littie one appeared to be dismayed, and did not speak until in the presence of her mother at. home, where '■ she was taken by Constable Hunt and one of the uncles, the other remaining with Constable Ryan, who proceeded to obtain a statement from the woman in whose house the child was found. The woman did not attempt to the child- departure, nor did site offer any explanation of her conduct until questioned. From indications, however, it appeared as il she might havo been suffering f rom - -- - The two uncles had gone to the house on several occasions in their endeavour to unravel the mystery, and althoneh they knocked and even searched the cellar, .heir efforts failed to elicit a response from inside. The little child carried the clothes she wore when she left home in a package when sh? returned home the surments she wus clad in when recovered being a change.