" A PRISONER DROWNED."

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5518, 21 September 1892, Page 3

" A PRISONER DROWNED."

(Br Telegbaph.) WatLINCrION. Sept. 20. Carl Moeller, f utnitare dealer, of Wellington was arrested m Sydney, on a ohargo of obtaining monej here by forging an endorsement to a promissory note. He made a desperate effort to escape irom c Steamei

Hauroto last night but lost, his life m the attempt. About 9 o'olock m the evening whon the steamer wob off Wellington heads Moeller and McGill, tbo constable m charge, were sittirigon the foro hafeb, and the latter left the accused to 'interview the purser respecting papers oonnected with tho case which had been given into the officer's charge. On returning m a few minutes Moeller was missßd and a thorough search of tho vessel, m which the officers were most assiduous, failed to reveal his -whereabouts. Tho search vtas continued after the vo.ael arrived m harbour, about oleven o'clock, but without avail. In or.ior to nssiet the police the vessel anchored m the Btream and only came alongside tho wharf this morning. It was confidently believed th B t Moeller had gone over tbo aide acd this view was confirmed when early this morning his body with a cabin life belt attached to it, wbb found floating near tho To Aro baths. As deceased was missed outside the heads it was impossible he could have swam to tbo spot whoro found or even that the body could have floated there, but as a wpo was'found over th« 'tern of the steamer it is supposed that he lowered himself over tbe ship's sido and waiting a favourable opportunity mado for the shore. Latbß. Moellor'n corpse has a wound on tho forebead, which, it. is thought, may have been caused by the propeller or by the body being thrown upon the rocks. It was blowing freshly at tbe time and the water was lumpy. Moeller's forgeries are numerous, nearly all the loan companies m town having suffered, though not for vary large amounts. It is believed that he had a confederate- as tho writings on the forged notes ore m two different hands, one of them a good Hold style, whereas Moeller's was not good writing.