RIFLEMAN RUSSELL'S DISAPPEARANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17657, 21 June 1919, Page 9

RIFLEMAN RUSSELL'S DISAPPEARANCE.

FINDING OF MILITARY COUItT. HIS ESCORT NOT BLAMEWORTHY. (Pee United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, June 20. -The Military Court which inquired into the disappearance of Rifleman John Russell from the Mararoa on the way to Lytteltpn on October 24-25- found that, though there was no direct evidence, all the circumstances pointed to suicide. An adequate escort was detailed. All tho witnesses who were asked the question expressed their willingness to escort the soldier singlehanaed, and tho court is quite convinced that' the witness Hutchison was satisfied that one man was sufficient. Did tho escort, if one was detailed, discharge his or their duties efficiently?— The first escort (Sapper Goodwin) did not. He failed in his first duty by not arriving at tho ship for quite 15 minutes later than he was Again, ho was las in not malunar sure from Hutchison on the wharf exactly who and where Russell was He accepted, the doubtful and unconfirmed statement that Russell had been handed over to the steward. It is noted that he took the trouble to call at Leeds street on tho day he was to go south, with a view to seeing and apparently becoming acquainted with Russell. The second escort (Staff-sergeant Stephens) did discharge his duties efficiently. Stephens' states in liis evidence that at the time he received his instructions from Sergeant-major Gardiner he knew nothing about Russell beyond that he had escaped from his, previous escort -Lucre was not time for him to make inquiries. It is unfortunate that Sergeantmajor _ Gardiner is away in England; and his evidence is consequently unobtainable, especially as.to the instructions he gave Stephens. The court consider that Stephens's mam anxiety would probably be to see that Russell did not leave the vessel whilst she was at the wharf, and that once she was away he felt moderately secure. None of Russell s actions wore sufficient to give btephens any indication that he contemplated suicide, and there is no evidence that btephens was instructed or warned to guard against such a contingency It is questionable whether after 2 a.m., when btephens, as stated in his evidence, decided that Russell was " mentallv deranged" he should have taken some action to have him locked upon the ship. The reason jriven— that nobody .was about—is insufficient; but it must be considered that to do this he would probably have had to leave Russell unattended whilst he made the necessary inquiry, and that all Russell was doin<r was to wander about tho ship looking for an imaginary woman: Stephens's action in closing his own lavatory door, which apparently enabled Russell to elude him, has been carefully considered by the court, and its opinion is that whilst it proved to be an unfortunate act, it was excusable, .as right up to that time Russell had shown no suicidal tendencies^ In conclusion, the court records that Mr Hutchison gave every assistance during the proceedings, was most reasonable apd just m his requests, and never in, tho least degree abused any of the privileges granted him.