A DIGGER'S YARN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2396, 8 September 1892, Page 1

A DIGGER'S YARN.

A digger named James Philips, of Colac Bay, arrived at Orepuki, Southland, on Saturday, in a fearful plight, after suffering terrible privations. Some anxiety has been expressed for the man's safety, but was allayed by the statement that there were plenty of abandoned provisions at the place where he was last seen. Philips went to Price's Boat H»,vbour, about GO miles west of Orepuki, in February, and worked there with a mate till early in June, when they separated. On the 17th June Philips' provisions gave out, and he decided to shift to Wilson's river, further west, where the Coal Island diggers are now mostly located. In crossing the river on the way he was nearly drowned. He lost his swag, matches, and 9oz of gold, and reached the bank he had started from with nothing left but his drawers and singlet. He made his way back to Price's, and re-fitted from the old clothing about the camp, but appears to have wandered in hi,s mind, as he does not remember haw he lived till »' three wee!* ago, On co»- J - *Dout senses he. femud th»* \ , "' n ° t 0 h ' s swtwg oil *W\ llish and birdSj of course 5. ftt,M * raw. He would have remained at Price's, in the hope that a boat would call, but seemed to hear children calling to him " Come home," and making up a rough swag he started along the coast for home. Misfortune continued to follow him, for crossing Big River he was washed down into the surf and lost all his belongings again, getting ashore in his underclothing and without boots. For days he struggled, almost famished, until Thursday night, when he laid clown on a bare rock on the beach hoping that ho would not wake again, so great was hifi misery and exhaustion. During the night what be took to be rat bit his foot, and ho kicked at it. It proved to be a penguin, which he had knocked over, and before it could get away the famishing man secured it and ate it raw. This renewed his strength, and on Friday at midnight he managed to reach the house of H. Erskine, on the west bank of the Waiau. Here he was hospitably received and cared for, and Erskine ferried him across the river and brought him to Orepuki on horseback. Philips is terribly emaciated.