N.Z. HEIR TO SCOTTISH TITLE DISAPPEARED WHILE ON BAIL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22617, 21 April 1948, Page 5

N.Z. HEIR TO SCOTTISH TITLE DISAPPEARED WHILE ON BAIL

( p - A -) CHRISTCHURCH, April 20. Where is Sir Norman Dugald Fcrrier Campbell, who yesterday fell heir to the ancient, Scottish baronetcy on the death in the United Kingdom of his brother, Sir Charles Ralph Campbell?

Sir Norman Campbell, who was a runholder in the Cheviot district, was last seen in Christchurch when he left a letter with the manager of his station saying that he had gone to Rotorua for a few days. This was on January 14, 1937. At that time he was on bail pending his trial in the Supreme Court in Christchurch, on charges relating to indecency. The case was called at the Supreme Court on February 9. 1937, but there was no appearance of Campbell and Mr. Justice Northcroft granted the application of the Crown Prosecutor. Mr. A. T. Donnelly, for estrentment of the ball amounting to £2OOO. Mr. Donnelly said that bail had been allowed in the Magistrate’s Court on condition that, apart from visits to Christchurch to consult his counsel, Campbell should stay in the Cheviot district which he must not leave overnight.

On his disappearance being reported on January 14 a warrant was issued for his arrest but no trace of him was found. In applying for the estreatment of the hail, Mr. Donnelly submitted that the Crown was entitled to it because it proposed to take all possible steps ■to bring Campbell baek to trial. Since then constant inauiries had been made as to Campbell’s whereabouts. He was reported to have been serving in the French Foreign Legion and a traveller reported seeing him in Turkey.. There have been unconfirmed reports of his aopearance in other continental countries. The baronetcy to which Sir Norman Campbell has succeeded is of ancient origin. It was created in 1628, the late Sir Charles Campbell being the twelfth baronet.