MAN LOST AT POMAHAKA.

Mt Benger Mail, Volume I, Issue 44, 2 March 1881, Page 5

MAN LOST AT POMAHAKA.

A man named Robert Hamilton a miner at Lower Pomahaka came into Roxburgh ,recently and after remaining here for some days he then left with tbe intention of returning to Lis work. He reached the Pomahaka but in such a state that his mate \V. Seager, thinking Hamilton out of his mind, came into Roxburgh for assistance and on his return with Thomas Featherstone found that Hamilton was not there. He had been seen by one of the Government surveyors, aud by a party of Chinese miners who describe him running up and down the hill " all one cranky." Seager and Featherstone returned to Roxburgh without finding any trace of Hamilton. A second party was then formed consisting of Messrs Seager. Wi liams. Loudon end others, and went out on Sunday to White and party at Upper Ponnhaka, to make inquiry, but got no information whatever. With horses kindiy lent by Messrs Heron, Hervyn, Steele, Higga, and others, another party was organised and started in search of traces of the missing man, early on Monday morning. The party consisted of Messrs Quayle, R. ( Green, M, Gordon, Featherstone, Wbelun and W. W eatherall. The routes to be taken were duly planned out, and as Bcveral of the party were well acquainted with the country it was hoped that an exhaustive search would speedily disclose the whereabouts of the missing man. Constable Pool gave all the assistance in his power in organising tho eearch parties, but his

other duties required bia attendance in Roxburgh. Besides he was a stranger to the country, and without a guide would not be of much assistance. He • left Roxburgh early yesterday morning ito join the searchers. The search party j returned to Roxburgh yesterday after- \ uoon, about five o'clock, bringing with i them the welcome and almost unexpected news that Hamilton had been found alive. The par«y it appears camped on Monday night at the musing man's hut, and were j about to leave when they observed a I man some distance from the hut (about ! half a mile) going towards the water, for j the purpose of obtaining a drink. Ilia ; shirt and drawers were all the clothing he : had on. On being asked where he slept, ; he replied, under a rock ; and on ex<un- | ination the rock wa3 found some distance I further up, under which was found a quantity tussjck-grass which had been jpalM jiy and used for a bed* His hands i and ?86t were very badly cut. He was Id weait from want of nourishment that it waplved to take him to his hut and leave hrim for the present under the | charge of Mr Thomas Featherstone aud j his mate, VV. Seager. Hamilton had j' been without food for about five days.