MISSING BROTHERS

Evening Star, Issue 22336, 12 May 1936, Page 9

MISSING BROTHERS

THE MYSTERY DEEPENS POLICE CONTINUE SEARCH. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, May 11. The police engaged in the search for the missing brothers, Thompson, have so far not located the men, but the search will be continued to-morrow, in the meantime the mystery' deepens, as further examination of the damage to the launch discloses that the planks on one side were broken, apparently by the anchor. Another puzzling feature is that the petrol tank was found half full of water and the cap securely replaced. Relatives think that the engine broke down, and that the men rowed ashore and became lost in the forest in the vicinity of Hawkesbury River. Allan Thompson had set his mind on returning to Sydney on Saturday evening for the dog racing, at which he was a licensed bookmaker, and it is believed he had with him at least £IOO, although another brother declared today that Allan would have no more than £6.

The police have taken possession of a sedan car in which the missing men drove to the point of embarkation — namely, Church Point, near the entrance of the Hawkesbnry River, where they hired a launch, which was well equipped and serviced. The weather was ideal during the whole of the weekend; consequently there is no reason to anticipate that the launch struck trouble in the open sea or became unmanageable.

GRAVE POLICE VIEW POSSIBILITY OF FOUL PLAY. SYDNEY, May 12. (Received May 12, at 11 a.m.) Although the police have not found any evidence that would definitely indicate foul play, they view most gravely the mysterious disappearance of the Thompson brothers. The fact that efforts were made to sink the launch may indicate an attempt by someone to hide the evidence of the crime, and the detectives now consider the possibility of assault and even of murder. The launch from which the Thompsons disappeared was seen by two fishermen on Saturday afternoon. One man was aboard and lie appeared to be trying to start the engine. The fishermen did not know the missing men; therefore they were nnahic to say whether the mail scon in the launch was one ol the Thompson brothers. However, several points in the description furnished by the fishermen to the police do not tally with the clothing which the brothers were wearing.