THE MISSING TOURIST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1305, 3 August 1886, Page 2

THE MISSING TOURIST.

His Discovery.

Eotokua, August 2 Following are the details of the finding of Mr Cot‘on, the missing Canterbury tourist :—Early on Satu-day morning the search for Mr Cotton was returned- A large party on horseback and in buggies went cut on the Taupo road as far as Horohorn, whore the tracks were lost last night. It was discovered that the unfortunate man had turned off the track and lit afire in the fern. He had then proceeded along the road for some distance and again gone into tho scrub. He could be tiaced to the edge of a swamp, Into which ho stepped, and then turned back and crossed a small creek. He then appears to have gone over a ridge in the direction of Akamai, but although the country for miles around was carefully searched no futhor trace of him could be discovered. The banka of Waikukn Creek were also examined, but no sign ,of him was found Two roadmen who left Ohinomutu at daylight this morning were met at Horo, and stated they had seen no one on the road. In the evening, news was brought In by Mr A. Warbrick and a Maori that Mr Cotton had been found alive near Horohoro. He was discovered by Mr Dansey, the telegraphist, who was one of the search party, and who remained behind after the others left to return to Ohinemulu. Mr Dansey was following a blind creek when he came across tne missing man barelcidei, -on’, apparently not much the worse for his terrible experience. Mr Warbrick and a Native, named Taupo, whilst on their way home, overtook Mr Dansey trudging along the muddy road, leading his horse, upon which he had place! Mr Cotton. It was just dark when Mr Dansey came acres* the unfortunate gentleman about eight or nine miles from here. Ho appeared dazed and bewildered, and was making across country towards the Paeroa ranges. In a few moments he would have been invisible in the darkness. He seemed to be under the impression that he was in one of his own paddocks. Mr Dansey sent on Mr Warbrick and a Native to Ohlnemuta wish all haste, to get some one to break the news quietly to Mrs Cotton and send out a buggy to them, which was immediately done. When brought in Mr Cotton was in a wonderful condition, considering the length of time he had been without food, the distance he had waikei, the character of the country he had crossed and the time he had been out. Great relief is fell here at the satisfactory termination of what was feared wuld prove a sad Incident.