THE SIMPLE LIFE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1388, 14 March 1912, Page 4

THE SIMPLE LIFE.

1 A CANTERBURY HERMIT. (By Teleeraph.—Special Correspondent.) Ghris.cliurch, March 13. Not ten miles from Cathedral Square, yet in densely wooded and little known country, in fact a sort of "never-never land, a party of week-enders recently came upon a veritable Rip Van Winkle, old niul bent. Ho confessed to over TO years of ago. He has pitched his lent in a small cosy clearing in the broom and lupins, and there without n break he has lived for twenty-five years, to the knowledge of but few. In fact, so dense is the broom that even five yards awny one would never dream of a tent being bidden there. Of cheerful visage and healthy look, the old hermit has all this time led the simple life, not once having ventured as far as Christchurch, which to him now is an unknown city. New Brighton is the only civilised settlement ho is in tho habit of visiting, and there at regular periods, separated by lengthy intervals, he trudges the three miles which separate it from his camp, in order lo get supplies. He is a respect able, elean-luokinij old chap. and. his simple manner of living has probably been the cause of his excellent health, which shows not the slightest sign of breaking down, despite his advanced aje.