MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 817, 18 November 1872, Page 3

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

A man named Murdoch McLean has disappeared from the neighbourhood of Timaru m such ft manner ns to rouse a suspicion that something extraordinary has occurred to him. McLean is a married man and hns only been six weeks m the place. He was for Right years shepherd on Snowdon station, Rakaia, and was recently an employe at Elephant Hill station, Waitaki, where he did not remain long. He had only boon seven months married, and lust Wednesday purchased a 50 acre section of land, which had been selected for him by Mr Thompson, surveyor. On the following day, (Thursday) lie went twice to Mr Thompson's to obtain a tracing of the section, and ngain m the evening, each time Mr Thompson not being at. home. Since leaving Mr Thompson's place the last, time at about 6 p.m., he hus not been heard of. He hud puid for liis land, and also for a horse, saddle and bridle, which he had purchased a day or two before, but after that, it is supposed he had still a considerable sum of money about his person at the time he was missed. He is described as tacitirm and reserved m manner, but there appears no reason for supposing that he was a man likely to do violence to himself, and his acts of the previous clays which clearly indicated a disposition to provide for the future, are also ngainst such a supposition. He was desirous of getting employment on a station again as shepherd, but it seems very improbable that he should have gone off -without letting his wife kuowof his intention; jilso, tlinfc he should have elected to tramp while ho had a horse of his own ; it is known that he did not leave place m any of the regular conveyances, and there was no Bteamer m port at the time. Under these circumstances, the whole affair resolves itself into one of two suppositions, either that McLean— who, by the way, was a scrupulously abstemious man — had became suddenly bereft of reason, and m that state, hns either wandered awny into the country, or has made away with himself; or there is the — if possible — more terrible suspicion, that, he has been the victim of foul play. The police are now engaged m making every inquiry for McLean, whose description is as follows : — He is a Scotchman by birth —a Highlander — though he does not speak with a strong Highland accant, he is aged 28 years, height sft 5 or 6in, medium build, dark hair, eyes, beard, and moustache, complexion sallow and sunburnt. When last seen he wore a drab colored tweed suit, and " billy-cock " hat. Any person kuowing anything of his whereabouts should at once communicate with the police, who will couvey tidings to his poor wife, who remains m Timaru hi a distracted state.