Murdoch books out of hotel

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33094, 8 December 1972, Page 14

Murdoch books out of hotel

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) SINGAPORE, December 7. The 27-year-old AH Black, K. Murdoch, checked out of the Singapore hotel where he stayed for the last two nights and again disappeared.

Officials of the New Zealand High Commission and Qantas — which has been helping the player since he arrived here on Tuesday night -— said they had no knowledge of his whereabouts or future plans. The High Commissioner, Mr H. H. Francis, told the N.Z.P.A. that his staff had had no contact with Murdoch. “But as far as I am aware, he is well and does not want assistance,” he said. “It seems that he wants to be left alone.” Murdoch paid his bill for two nights in the luxury Mandarin Hotel this morning and slipped out of a side entrance, evading newspapermen waiting in the lobby. Although hotel officials said that Murdoch was in his room, number 2521, this morning, he was not answering knocks at the door or answering the telephone.

Officials of the New Zealand High Commission in Singapore were among those telephoning his room this morning and getting no response. It is believed that the High Commission had a note put under his door saying it would help him if he needed assistance. But he did not contact diplomats at the mission. The N.Z.R.F.U. is, understandably, reluctant to comment — but there is cause to believe that top New Zealand Rugby officials are more than a little worried about developments. The chairman of the national executive (Mr J. L. Sullivan) said today that his union had received no word about the All Black and had no idea when he might return to New Zealand.