THE ISLAND BAY HERMIT.

The Island Bay hermit, Persse, wlio was taken io .the Wellington Hospital a few days ago, is improving, but he is still in a serious condition. It ds understood that lie has a brother in England at the head of one of the brandies of the Commercial Union Insurance Company,' and that he is a relative by marriage of a distinguished Indian General. The "Post" of Monday says:— "The Hermit of Island Bay has been seriously ill for the last few days. Yesterday Constables Heather and O'Halloran were sent out to his cave to see him. They found him in a, pitiable condition — extremely feeble,; with no food in hjs cave (though he said he had been supjjlied so far), and his rock habitation dripping with water. There seemed little doubt that if the Hermit had been allowed to remain there any longer he would have died. He was accordingly brought in a cab to the hospital. Dr Ewavt examined him shortly after his admission, and pronounced him to. be almost jpulseless'. The Hermit's' name and antecedents have up to the present -been ,i mystery, but lie gave the hospital authorities the name of William Persse. The patient was slightly improved to-day, though his condition is still very serious." He is suffering from acute bronchitis and the general effects of continued exposure."