STILL MISSING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1926, Page 8

STILL MISSING.

CHRISTCHURCH LAND AGENT. FEARS FOR HIS SAFETY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) • CHRISTCHURCH, this day. No sign has yet beeii discovered of Mr Claude Lewis, the well-known business" man, who has been missing since Tuesday, and there are grave fears for his safety, particularly in view of the state of his health.

Mr. Lewis, who is thirty-eight years of age, is a married man with two children, and resides at 324, Papanui Road. He was for many years connected with the firm of McKenzie and Willis, auctioneers and land agents, but soma months ago he started business on his own account as a finance and commission agent.

As a result of a severe nervous break, down be was compelled to give un his business temporarily. His health improved, however, and latterly he was engaged as auctioneer for the firm of P. S. Nicholls and Co.

On Tuesday morning Mr. Lewis left his home in bis car, taking his little boy with him. In saying good-bye to his w-ife he remarked tbat he w-as going into the city to make arrangements about starting bis own business again. It appears that be left the little boy with friends in the city and then went straight down to New Brighton. His car was found by his brother between twelve and one o'clock the same day right at the end of the estuary, overlooking Cumner. Since then search parties have been working in the neighbourhood, but they have failed to find any trace of Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis stated this morning that her husband had been suffering from a very severe nervous breakdown for the past seven or eight months, but just lately he had been a little better. He had no financial troubles and apart from his health nothing on earth to worry about. She tbougbt that in his present state of health his mind may have given out and that ho might he found wandering about in the scrub. Thera was certainly no reason for his dis. appearance other than his depressed condition.

When her husband left home on Tuesday morning, said Mrs. Lewis, she had no idea that he had any intention of going to New Brighton. If she had she would not have allowed him to go there alone. He had been talking of starting his own business of C. S. Lewis and Co. again and he told her he was going to the city to fix up about the business. He then seemed quite cheerful. Mr. Lewis had -been advised by his friends to go on a trip in order to regain his health, but he preferred to remain in Christchurch.