AN EXTRAORDINARY FREAK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8112, 22 February 1888, Page 5 (Supplement)

AN EXTRAORDINARY FREAK

A o.ipo of very mysterious disappearance occurred in Dunedin outhe Oth hist. It was a Saturday, aud late in the afternoon Henry Kait, a young man aged 20, cleric in the South British Insurance Company, hired a hoat at the Duntdiu jistty and rowed out into the harbour, apparently intending to batho. Before leaving he changed his clothes in the boatshed, donning a rowing suit and leaving hb other garments in tho shed. He took with him in the boat a Gladstone hug and a paper parcel. On the following morning the boat was brought back by a settler who had found it ou tho other side of the harbour. It contained the bay aud some clothes, but no parcel, and ttio boat had evidently not been eapsiied. It was generally boliwved that Rait had been drowned while bathing, and for days an active search of the beach was made and dragging was undertaken iv the harbour, but without result. The mystery received an unexpected solution about a week later, when news was received from Tiniaru that young Kait had found his way there on foot, Nothing at all was wrong iv his business or domestic relations, and it subsequently transpired that ho had been suffering from a temporary affection of the brain, brought on by excessive physical i xertion iv training tor a boat race and over-much ollxce work. Not the least peculiar feature about the affair is that in consequence of his strange escapade Mr Kait is likely to acquire a legacy of several thousand pounds, which was left by a relative some time ago. The matter was brought irnder the notice of Mr Rait's relatives by Sir Robert Stout, who noticed an advertisement making inquiry as to the whereabouts of tho family, ffo particulars regarding the bequest are jx;t to hand, but it is understood that a very considerable sum has been left to the family by a wealthy relative in Scotland,