TAURANGA MAN MISSING

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 200, 24 August 1928, Page 7

TAURANGA MAN MISSING

PROM STEAMER CLAYMORE. SHIP SEARCHED EC VADf. LEFT BUNK IN EARLY MORNING. ("By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. During the trip of the steamer Claymore from Auckland to Whangarei last night a passenger named R_ Clayton, a florist, of Tauranga, aged about 60 years, disappeared. The missing man. who was described by the chief steward. Mr. Val Gore, as "a tall, thinnish man. 7 ' was in his bunk when the ship left Auckland at 10.30 pjn. At 12.1-5 ajn., just before retiring. Mr. Gore saw Clayton in his bank, but at 6JO ajn. the steward, on taking np tea. discovered that Mr. Clayton was absent. Mr. A. Cadman. a fellow traveler, stated that Mr. Clayton was not in his bunk at 5 a.m. The chief engineer, Mr. Hugh Lister, was on deck at 2 a.m. and saw a tall, thinnish man. apparently clad in an overcoat and pyjamas, standing right aft. He did not see the man's features, as he was facing the stem of the boat. A thorough search of the ship was made shortly after 6.30 a.m., but no trace of Mr. Clayton could be found. His clothes and other belongings were all in or near his bunk. Captain Johnson said that a very fair trip was experienced throughout, and the vessel was not rolling to any extent. The captain's statement is borne out by the steward and the engineer, and all state that Mr. Clayton was perfectly sober.