The Disappearance of a School Board Clerk

Since the sudden disappearance of Mr. W. P. Holmes, clerk to the Mexbro’, Swinton, Conisbro’, and Darbrough School Boards, speculation has been rife as to the cause of so unexpected a procedure. Although it was known that his local debts were considerable, it was conjectured that he would not have thus left his wife and family had there not been something more serious.

A careful scrutiny has since been made of the accounts of the respective boards, but up to the present no discrepancy has been discovered; in fact, some of the members acknowledge that the financial records have been kept with the most scrupulous care.

The whole of the vacancies have been filled up, except at Swinton, where it is understood the post of clerk will, at the next meeting, be handed over to Mr. Bond, who has for many years officiated as attendance officer.

A Mexbro’ tradesman, who is also a shipping agent, has received a letter from a steamship company stating that Mr. W. P. Holmes has arrived at New York, the vessel by which he sailed and the day of his arrival being also mentioned.