WANDERING IN BUSH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 92, 29 January 1934, Page 7

WANDERING IN BUSH

MAN FOUND IN TITIRANGI. FIVE DAYS WITHOUT FOOD. (Special to the “Guardian.”) AUCKLAND, January 25. After wandering in the bush at Titirangi for nearly five days, a young man, Air Douglas Scruton, was found in semi-conscious condition .0y a party ox holiday-makers at Herring Bay, iitiraugi, on inurstlay. Mr Scruton, who is believed to be employed as a labourer by tlie Fletcher Construction Company, Limited, was too weak to give much information concerning himself. He was admitted to the Auckland Hospital last evening suffering from exposure. His condition is not serious. *

A child with the party which ultimately found Mr Scruton startled her parents, Mr and Mrs Clark, by telling them that she had seen a man in the bach shortly after they arrived at Herring Bay yesterday afternoon. An inspection of the' bach showed that there was nobody inside, but Mr Scruton was found a little later by Mr and Airs Clark, lying in the bush in a semi-conscious condition. He said he had been wandering about the bush since last Thursday, and had had no food since then.

A meal was immediately prepared, and the man, who was ravenously hungry, was given some food. He drank four cups of tea in quick succession, and seemed somewhat recovered, but could not account for his movements. He gave no address, but asked to be taken to the home of a friend, Mr W. F. Power, Hutchinson Avenue, New Lynn. When found he was wearing working clothes and sandshoes. On being placed in Mr dark’s motor-car, Mr Scruton collapsecl. He was driven to Mr Power’s home, where he repeatedly asked for water. He said he had had no shelter in the hush except a sack, which he used as a blanket. Later he became unconscious and was attended by Dr. R._ War nock, who ordered his removal to the hospital. A St. John ambulance was summoned, and he was taken to hospital about 9 o’clock. Mr Power said last evening that Mr Scruton was unshaven and generally .unkempt, and. gave the appearance of having been in the bush for some days. There were only two baches at Herring Bay, and it was likely that he had been unable to attract attention. Air Power added that he understood Mr. Scruton’s only relative in the Dominion was a sister who lived in Auckland.