MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13872, 5 October 1908, Page 6

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE

SAD END TO HOMEWARD VOYAGE. [from our OWN correspondent.] London, August 28. Last Sunday, on the arrival at Plymouth of the Now Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Papamii from New Zealand, it was reported that one of the passengers in tlio third-class \ had mysteriously disappeared overboard during the previous night. : The missing man, Jamas Baxter, was 35 years of age. He was a. miner from Westport, and was travelling home to Dunfermlino to meet his wife and children, who had come to the United Kingdom a year ago. Baxter apparently was looking forward eagerly to the meeting, and only on the day before hie disappearance he was showing some of the other passengers the presents he was taking Homo for his wife and children. He had given instructions to be called at six a-in., on Sunday, but when the cabin was entered his bunk was empty, and a search of the vessel gave no result. A passenger who was restless during the night went on deck for a short time, and lie states that he saw a man sleeping in.' a deck chair right aft, between the wheelhouse and the ship's rail, in Baxter's favourite position. It is surmised, therefore, that lie went to sleep in the chair, and being aroused fell overboard while only half awake. There is no suspicion of suicide or foul play. Baxter had been in New Zealand for about live years.