STRANGE EXPERIENCES OF A MELBOURNE RESIDENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 335, 19 January 1889, Page 6

STRANGE EXPERIENCES OF A MEL BOURNE RESIDENT.

Tn Apr^, 1357, Mr E. S. Paterson, auctioneer ~afod commission t agent, Bourkestrget, left for Cxippsland for a coupler of da'y^s. f Not returning, bis friends be'eanie alarmed, 'and every effort was made ; to ascertain bis' thereabouts, but without success. In February last year his wife'receiyed a letter 'fvbm him bearing the South African postmark, but without giving any date or address.*. The contents were quite incoherent, showing that the writer wa.s , buffering from mental affliction. The family consulted as to, the best means of bringing, him" back. Mr Walsh, an old friend, volunteered his service?. ,On arrival at Natal, Ml- Walsh was stricken with fever-, and was robbed of most of his money. He , 'finally discoveied Paterson at Durban in abject poverty. His jj funds'were exhausted, and nothing remained ' for Mr Walsh but to work his way to Capetown, 300 v miles distant, where money was awaiting him. He tobk steamer, reaching Victoria a week ago. Paterson is in a weak state, and remembered nothing after leaving f or Gippsland till he was in Africa.