WIFE AND CHILDREN MISSING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18898, 26 June 1923, Page 10

WIFE AND CHILDREN MISSING.

MYSTERY OF NEW ZEALAND FAMILY. Mystery surrounds the disappearance of a woman and two children who reached Melbourne from New Zealand about May 26 (says the Melbourne Argus). They are Mrs Johnston, wife of Mr William Johnston, pianist, of Lyttelton, and their children, two daughters, aged five and 11 respectively- Mrs Johnston and the children left Mr Johnston at Lyttelton on May 18, and boarded a steamer at Wellington on the same day. The husband had arranged to follow his wife and family os soon as possible. Mrs Johnston wrote to her husband from Sydney, and gave her address as the People’s Palace, and on May 26 she sent, him a telegram, from Melbourne. It read: ‘‘Come at once; reply.” It had been arranged that her Victorian address until she obtained definite lodgings, should be the ‘General Post Office. On receipt of the telegram Mr Johnston replied: “Coming first steamer available. He reached Sydney by the steamer Ulimaroa on Juno 5. and arrived in Melbourne on the following day. Before leaving Sydney he telegraphed to his wife at the General Post Office, Melbourne, asking her to meet the Sydney express on Thursday. Mrs Johnston did not meet the train, and her husband has not been able to trace her or his children. Upon inquiring at the General Post Offio Mr Johnston learned that the telegram which he had despatched from Sydney had not been called for. He inquired at the People’s Palace, and other institutions conducted by the Salvation Armv, but his search has been unsuccessful. Mr Johnston states that he knows of no reason why his family should not meet him. They have no relatives or friends in Melbourne. The police are investigating the matter. Mr Johnston describes his wife as being dark and of medium height. When she left him at Lyttelton she was wearing a black costume, light pink shawl, black hat, and black shoos and stockings. The- girls arc fair haired, with light blue eyes. At the time of their departure they were dressed in new grey frooks and black shoes and stockings.