Original Correspondence.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 58, 18 May 1865, Page 9

Original Correspondence.

o (To the Editor of the Bruce Herald.} I Sib,— The accompanying letter was wriiteii with the intention of sending ie to Widow Clark, but the writer made the unfortunate discovery that he had left the address in Victoria, and which cannot be got without his presence there. If you think the letter worth publishing, you cau do so, apart irom the benefit it will conler on the relatives of C. Clark-. 'I here appears a strangeness in the disappearance of Charles Clark tnat calls for some enquiry. Mrs; John Clark, 3S"ear St. Andrew's, Scotland: Dear Madam,— After due consideration, I deem it my duty to inform you, that I was a a ship-mate with }'our son Charles Clark, whd sailed Irom Greenock iv the ship ' Contest' for Australia, iv November, 1853. The second year I was in the colony I was mates with Charles on the Blackwood Diggings, Victoria, three* of us together, but Charles left and wrought some time by himself, when he again joined us in company with John Andrews, David. Hunter, and myself Wd only wrought 13 weeks, the four of us together, when Andrews and Charles left and wrought by themselves for abdut 'Six months, when they left lor Melbourne in December, 1857. After stopihg in Melbourne a short time, Andrews and Charles started for the Beech worth diggings in January 1858. Charles was to Write me directly he settled on Been worth, and also to D.-iyid Huns ter (now deceased) with whom he left a bank Account to take care of for him. I was appointed a trustee in David Hunter's estate* and I have got the account referred to. it wasj I think, about £150, but I have got interest added, and I think it is about £200 now^ but it is in Melbourne, with other property be^ longing to inej so that is the reason 1 cannot state the exact amount. N6w, lam quite convinced that Charles either died or was murdered directly after leaving Melbourne for Beehworth, for he never wrote me or David Hunter, and has never made the slightest e.iquiry after his money. .Now, I have never seen any person that ever saw or heard of him.' since he left Melbourne in c muany with John Andrews for Beehworth in 1858. Andrews returned to Blackwood in a few weeks in the same year, told me that Ch irles and him went to Beech worth, but he (Andrews) did uot like" the look of the place so he helped Charles to put up his tent, and saw him started to dig ; nice and comfortable, and started back td Blackwood ; he arrived hard up, aud a short ;ime after he got drunk,, he made a terrible shouting and noise, and the Police took hint up ; he sjot out on bail, and did uot appear td answer the charge but rau oflQ so I have iievef*

seen nor heard of him from that day to this. Andrews's name will appear on the Police Records at Beech worth, for a charge similar to the one alluded to, the very day Charles and him went mates. I shall be. happy to give you every assistance in my power, by your sending me proper authority. I am, &c, JAMES FERGUSON. Glenore, 29th April, 1865.