LYTTELTON MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18342, 7 March 1923, Page 8

LYTTELTON MYSTERY.

SHIP'S OFFICER MISSING.

AN ASSISTANT PURSER.

EFFECTS LEFT ON WAHINE.

[by telegraph.— CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday. Mystery surrounds the disappearance of the assistant purser of the Wahine, who left his ship on Saturday, and has not been heard of since. At noon on Saturday Mr. R. Rashley intimated to his superiors that he intended to go on shore to get his hair cut. He left the vessel, and the rest is a mystery as he has not been heard of since. The topographical position of Lyttelton, as well as the size of the place, makes it appear impossible that the missing man might have lost himself. He belongs to Hobart, and the Wahine is his first ship. It is stated that when in port Mr. Rashley seldom ventured further from his vessel than the post office. All the clothing and effects of the missing man are still on the Wahine, and so far as his work was concerned everything was up-to-date and in good order. The police were informed on Saturday, and the officers on the Wahine expected to hear something of Mr. Rashley when the vessel arrived in Lyttelton this morning from the North, but no news was forthcoming. Mr. Rashley is only 18 years of age. He was employed for two years in the Union Steam Ship Company's office in Hobart, where his parents reside.