A MISSING BOY.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1924, Page 1

A MISSING BOY.

„ STRANGE PREDICAMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH—PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] GISBORNE, November fi. To he missing for about .‘li hours; to have a Dig army of searchers out patrolling the district, and then to he found securely caught in the roof of a fowlhouse two hundred yards from his home, was the remarkable experience that befell an eleven-vear-old schoolboy, named Robert liadwen, the son of Captain Liadwen, of the tug Tinvera.

The family live at Alangapapa, a suburb of Gisborne, on a property adjacent to Cook Hospital, and the parents supply eggs from their poultry farm to that institution, gaining access by means of a path at the end of their pro|>crly.

Yesterday morning, Robert liadwen, bis elder brother and sister, set out for school, taking the usual basket of eggs to leave at the institution. Robert liadwen was carrying the eggs. About half way to the institution the elder brother sent Robert hack to get his (Robert’s) overcoat, as the weather was showery. Robert went hack. 'I lie elder brother and the sister went on to school.

to their surprise, Robert did not turn up at school, and on arrival at home, about 3.30 p.m., the girl asked what was wrung. 'lhe mother made enquiries, and communicated with Ihe police, and soon several parlies were out scouring the district. Last night heavy rain fell, hut despite the weather conditions, the parties coniiniifil their search. but with no sucres*. Olliers I'eplai ed the vullllilaiv helpers this muruiug, and a parly of school lads from Alaugapap School was taken out by tbe headmaster. Short Iv alter one o'clock, the mother saw the hoy’s unde Mr George Brown, returning inward the house with the lad on his hack.

The uncle stated that he saw a clump of manuka tree in one of the fowlruns which lie in a gully, and are colored with manuka scrub to keep the sun and rain from the birds. r lo the uncle’s surprise, he found Robert hanging head downwards with his head and dies! in the fowl run, his head being some twelve feet Irom the ground. The hoy’s lips were black and swollen almost to double their usual size. From a few words gathered from the lad, some hours later, it appears that rain came oil, and he went to take shelter at the end of fowl run behind a tree, hut he slipped on top ol the fowl yard, and was firmly caught. The fowls' were fed in the fowlhouse some low yards away last night, and this morning he could iust see the louls I,dug fed, and 1 •mild hear voices calling. hut could neither make a movement nor speak. The lail is now suffering from exposure. and cannot talk more than a few words. Imt his condition is not considered serious.