Sensation at Albany.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3873, 14 May 1906, Page 2

Sensation at Albany.

A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.

Peexh, May 11. ' ' A sensation has been caused by / the disappearance of the Rev. T. A. James, minister of the Albany \ Methodist Church, and an ex-Presi-dent of the Conference. He left on April Ist for a month’s holiday. After visiting friends in Victoria he went to Sydney. From there he wrote to bis wife on April 16tb, and mentioned that he had formed a friendship with a man named Hunter, at whose lodgings he was staying on the way. On May 2nd Mrs James received a wire from Sydney, signed Hunter, stating that the Rev. James had been accidentally drowned, and that the body had not been recovered. Seven- days later a letter arrived from Hunter, dated April 26th, purporting to be written at sea. The writer stated that he and the Rev. James were sailing in Sydney Harbor on April 18(h and the Rev. James fell overboard and was drowned. Hunter gave lengthy details and expressed regret that be had cot reported the matter earlier. He adds that he was afraid to report the affair to the police 1 besides, be had excellent reasons for not being brought into pfomin* ence just now, and could not be delayed on the journey be was about to make. In the meantime inquiries were put afoot in Sydney, which showed that the telegram and letter were posted in Suva on April 28rd, with a letter to the Postmaster in Sydney asking him to forward them to Albany. The letters were written in a cramped or disguised baud. The Sydney police have received no information of a case of drowning which will correspond with the date given. All the bodies recovered in the Harbor have been identided. The whole affair is shrouded in mystery.

It is understood that prior to bis departure James raised a considerable sum on his property.

He bad further money wired to Melbourne.

Sydney, May 12. James, though well-known to several ministers in Sydney, did not visit any of them. The only definite trace of him here is that he called on a seedsman and ordered some seed potatoes to be sent to his son in Westralia. He was clothed in civilian dress and without a beard, though be usually wore one. The date of the Suva letter coincides with the arrival of the Maheno there. The name of Hooter or James is not on the passenger list.