DISAPPEARANCE OF A RETURNING OFFICER AND CONSTABLE. SUPPOSED DROWNING.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 150, 28 December 1881, Page 2

DISAPPEARANCE OF A RETURNING OFFICER AND CONSTABLE. SUPPOSED DROWNING.

The Stella returned to this port laßiTßveninjj from her trip round the Southern lighthouses. Mr. William Holmea, who was a passenger by her, informs us that she touched at Jackson's Bay on Christmas Day, and sent a boat ashoro there. It was then ascertained that Mr. Allen, Deputy Returning Officer, and|Sergeant-Major Nelly, were there on the 9ch inst. to hold the polling for, the election of a member of the House of Representatives for the Hokitika District, in whioh electorate Jackson's Bay is situated. They left on the following day for Hokitika with the returns, and had not been heard ©f up to the 25&h-inst., having then been missing for 14 days. A search party had started to look for them, but no sign had been discovered, and it was feared that, owing to the swollen state of the rivers, they had been swept away and drowned in attempting to cross. Sergeant-Major Nelly was • formerly well-known in Wellington, being drill instructor to the volunteers, from whom he received a handsome presontation on his removal from this city. The Government received a telegram today confirming the report of Allen and Nelly being missing, and supposed to be drowned. Dr. Giles, the Returning Officer for Hokitika, ha 3 applied to have the time extended for returning the writ, in tho hope that the missing men may yet turn up. The hope, however, seems rather a forlorn one, and it ia not at all clear what will be the result of the efficial returns if the polling never comes to hand. The matter has been referred to the Law Officers, who are now coneidering the oase " _________________