Hermit in the Bush.

Patea Mail, 19 April 1882, Page 3

Hermit in the Bush.

A man living in tho bush like a hermit, and stealing things from farms on the Whenuakura block, is now “ wanted” by the police. He is a modern wild-man pf dbe-woqdsy /(bough retaining enough of wickedness to pick „ and steal.,, is,-ejgtye.en months since ! werenoliced by Mr J. Hurley and other settlers near the bush. Bronghton and other Maoris seem to have observed similar evidence. Embers of fires, picked bones, and si|chT things were noticed, bnt they were supposed' to have been left by surveying parties. In - November last -Mr Hurley-missed from his place a good overcoat, also a boy’s bvfercoat, 1 a potihd ‘flask’ ofpowder, apd • -■ ir i’’ -li 'I-V n.-S 1 i- ■ i someflonr. , ;i - T ; r A,warrant; ohlaiaedatooseai'ch-the pah; of . neighboring natives 1 ,:; bnt , : the > missing '-articles - fotfhd There-. - The' nntiyes' ’’'protested; 1 of all . of thefts* -and' ~;thel f affair ;( jt»pcapaft rj nupleaßantlyrjnys r , terious.'j’./ A. rthief fiimst ■ beosoinewher^ about, ’ v ‘ ur/l Vl ; !i | 1 1 '‘A i b6ht‘ r ; flVe I '‘,we 1 4ks' ago ’’'a ’ pxplrln^r v 4i ; ,bqt, .strangely, enough l , , the s animal ;h ado been -neatly 5 skinned (audits head cut off. This must- n bh ’the wbVk. Messrs QbtoeT wefit’ info” the. 1 bush " last', week huntingstray apd ( ca.mer acrpss a : apr|,,near,,it ra.ee;.as if ti ; ; catch.wild: pigs* ;. A israal!/clearing haijl. been :madepand ; potatoes a-year ’ old were I; in it p also’ "sortie TbbyccqTe'af : growing!. , betiding, they; PiZ-vit R i-i MdO-r 7 - * , fdond .kupch^.qf;red;,whiskers,;as, if' - ,enfeoff l->i!•[/.> :-tj! /■- >{-•'.<! asaohP.-.A ; _ : )• ; After -This “two i; hatives , ■ were : but shootihg, aftd : -carab te a fire ' buramg, ‘ with 'a ; spade 'ahd’ near - . '^(ii n -y.oj9iigv/Bro.ag)itQni;';i.l»it ; ;the spade and shovel had - bfeen’'removed ?: ih the interval. Searching about, ’ they'kicked, aside ; some grssfewdiieK.concealed t a trap-door in the ground. Opening ; this’-they fbnrid a hole ahd' shbrt turiiiel, in which were 'hidd'ep some, wheat . and strayv and .blue potatoes .Sppqe mutton bones wflich hpd bepn-ppoked and picked

were lying about. This place was ahia it two utiles beyond any settler’s boundary, inside the bush. Two wharos have boon found at different places in the bush, one being above mentioned ; but no sign of the missing picker and stealer has yet been got. The hunt for him is getting warm;. Constable Crozier is goings to, ..the 3 e I ehqivife ;and 4m6e bhe fugitive. Who he can he, and why he should live _a. fugitive existence within V ■ ' \ J .’ r ; 7 ft ■■■ . • J Itybl .milder' of 3 settled"district, are matters that can only be guessed. His frequent thefts have become a serious nuisance. Among other things taken was an old gun, not in shooting eondijAion, from Messrs Gower’s place. Perhaps a combined hunt might fetch hinh I out.