MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF CAPTAIN LEYS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8341, 2 December 1893, Page 4

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF CAPTAIN LEYS.

♦ Captain Chambers, of the b.s. Stormbira, reported at 2 p.m to-day to Sergeant-Major Anderson, the disappearance of Captain James Leys, well-known in Wanganui and | throughout the colony, as being late commander of the ps. Terranora. It appears that Captain Chambers left Wellington at 12 15 yesterday (Thursday), Captain Leys being then on board. Everything went on all right, Captain Leys being aeen in his usual health at 11 o'clock last night, he having been sitting in the cabin reading, t The remark was paßßed by Captain Leys to | Captain Chambers then that it was time they saw the Wanganui light, and ho also remarked that he would go and turn in. He then went into the after part oE the cabin, and Captaia Chambers went on to the steamer's bridge, The veeeel was stopped half-an hour afterwards to wait for the tide, she being then about eight miles off the Wanganui bar. About 2 o clock this morning Captain Chambers took the Stormbird over the bar and berthed her at the wharf about 3.30. Capfain Chambers and his crew thon turned in. The steward arose at about 5 o'clock to Bee that all the passengers were ready to go ashore and found that Captain Leys had left his bunk, but hanging on a nail was aftwwards found his coafc, hat, and umbrella. Tho matter was reported at the Custom Home, after Captain Chambers had used every endeavor, but without effect, to find the miß»ing man, and it is feared that he is drowned. Captain Chambers does not think that Captain Leys could have fallen overboard during the time the steamor was waiting for the tide. It may be mentioned that Captain Leys has had no regular employment during the loßt twelve months. Captain Leyß has a wife and four children —two of them grown up, and was about 55 years of age.