DISAPPEARANCE OF RIFLEMAN RUSSELL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 23 May 1919, Page 5

DISAPPEARANCE OF RIFLEMAN RUSSELL.

WELLINGTON, May 22. At the enquiry relating to the disappearance of Rifleman John Russell from the ferry steamer Mararoa on the night of October 24-25 last, John Hutchinson, the only relative of the missing soldier in New Zealand, was granted the privilege of addressing the Court. Hutchinsonsaid in his opinion some points for decision had been proved. He asked the Court to pay special attention to Ser-geant-Major McLeod's evidence, stating that reporting to him was not reporting to the "military authorities"; also the evidence of witnesses that Russell had suicidal intentions. The evidence all through testified in one direction—that Russell was not keen on going to Han,mer. Hutchinson also contended that the statements made in Court went t/O | snow that the escort provided for Russell was not adequate; also that there wa,s neglect on the part of the medical authorities in not having Russell examined as to his mental condition prior to leaving Wellington. Hutchinson also said that he considered that the escort had not, he^n sufficiently careful of Russell. Hutchineon thanked tli-p Court for the departure from the usual procedure in allowing him to question witnesses and address the Court