DRURY. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Monday, November 16. Mysterious Disappearance of a Sentry.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1977, 17 November 1863, Page 3

DRURY. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Monday, November 16. Mysterious Disappearance of a Sentry.

On Saturday night a sentry, of the name of John O'Neill, belonging to the 18th Eegimcnt, who was on duty on the bridge over Slippory Creek leading to the camp, disappeared. Ho was to bo on guard from eight o'clock to ton. At nine o'clock, ho was at his post, all right ; but at half-pnst nino in the place of giving the accustomed " all's well," he was gone. His riflo was found lying on the bridge. Ho had on a soldier's greatcoat, and some seventy rounds of ammunition. If he has not deserted — which seems somewhat improbablo — it is to be feared that he has fallen into the creek, which in this spot is very deep. Yesterday the creek •was dragged, but without sucjecss. If the man has, unfortunately, been drowned, as there is a strong current here, there is no doubt that the body has been taken down some considerable distance. At the Mauku, an old Portuguese, for a great number of years servant to Mr. Crispe, is still missing ; not having been seen since before the engagement at the Mauku. As the Maoris had often wanted this man, it is very likely they have made him a prisoner. More horses have disappeared from the Mauku district. The neirs of the arrival of the ' Himalaya ' ?had reached here at an early hour yesterday, and in tho absence of other news, is the best going. It is expected that in a day or two the regiment brought by this fine vessel will be marched to Drury.