ALBANY MYSTERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1747, 12 May 1906, Page 2

ALBANY MYSTERY.

DISAPPEARANCE OP METHODIST

MINISTER.

A STRANGE TALE,

“HUNTER’S” MYSTERIOUS MESSAGES.

By telegraph, Press Asß’n, Copyright Reoeived 10 29 p.m , May 11.

Perlh, May 1

A sensation has been caused by the disappearance of tho Rev. T. A. James, minister of the Albany Methodist Church, and an ex-President of the Conference. Ho left on April Ist for a month’s holiday. After visiting friends in Victoria he went to Sydney. Prom there he wrote to his wife on April 16;h. He mentioned that he had formed a friendship with a man named Hunter, at whose lodgings he was staying. On May 2nd Mrs James reoeived a wire from Sydney signed 11 Hunter,” stating that Mr Jameß had bocn accidentally drowued, but that the body bad not been recovered. Siven days later a letter arrived from Hunter, dated April 26th, purporting to be written at sea, The writer etated that he and James were sailing in Bydney harbor on April 18sh, aod that James fell overboard and was drowned. The writer gives lengthy details, and expressed regret that ho bad not reported the matter earlier. He adds that he was afraid to report to the police; besides, ho bad excellent reasons for not bring brought into prominence just now, and could not be delayed- in tbe journey he was about to make. In the meantime inquiries put afoot in Sydney showed that tho telegram and letter were posted from Suva on April 23rd, with a letter to the postmaster in Sydney, asking him to forward thorn to Albany. Tho lettars were wriiten in a cramped or disguised hand. Tbe Sydney polios have no information of a case of drowning which would correspond with the dato given. All tbe bodies recovered in the barber have been ileDtifid. The whole affair is oosbrouded in myslory.

Received 1.11 a.m., May 12. Sydney, May 11. No trace has so fer been discovered ol James’s movements in Sydney

Perth, May 1

It is stated that prior !o his departure Jaui3S raised a considerable sum do bis property, and had further money wired to Melbourne.