MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 4126, 1 September 1882, Page 3

MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCE.

A mysterious ocenrrence is reported to have happened on board the steamer Morpeth on 11th August, daring her voyage from Sydney to Newcastle. Mr. Alfred Thomas, a gentleman who has recently been staying at Petty's hotel, Sydney, and who is said to have been a wealthy squatter and a large railway contractor from Queensland.left Sydney in the Morpeth. accompanied by his partner, Mr. John Garget, with the object of proceeding from Newcastle overland to Queensland. According to the statement of Mr. Garget, while coming down Sydney Harbour, Mr. Thomas expressed his intention of turning in to avoid sea-sickness, and left his friend, who stayed on deck smokine a cigar. The steamer was then off Da-wes' Point, and when she reached Fort Denison Mr. Garget repaired to the cabin he and his friend had taken between them, but he heard that Thomas was not there. He attached no importance to the fact then, and turned in himself. On the arrival of the steamer at Newcastle no trace of Thomas could be found, and it is surmised that as he was a great sufferer from sea-sickness, he must have gone to the ship's side and fallen overboard. His htersrage and effects are of a costly description. Mr. Thomas was for some years resident engineer to the Queensland Government. The body of the unfortunate gentleman was found a few hours afterwards in the Sydney '.arbour. He was fully dressed, and had an overcoat on. His head bore the mark of a severe blow.