A DYING MAN

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 63, 15 March 1915, Page 4

A DYING MAN

rouiro nr axfristow busk. FARMER MISSING FOR ▲ FORTMGHT. The startling discovery of an unconscious human being was made by a . farmer named Sheldon while walking through some scrub near his home a; Alfriston at about il o'clock yesierdaf 7 7 morning. The body was that of a ma», but exposure had rendered it almost unrecognisable, and life appeared to fc* -lmost extinct. Mr. Sheldon immediately * took steps to have the matter reported . to the police, and a messenger was seat to communicate with Trooper Waugh at(Papakura. Alfriston ig a small settlement 18 lsiles from Aucklan-1. in Manukau County, ana about three miles out from Manurewa. - There is a good deal of bush in the distr.>t. On arrival at tbe scene of the dife. eoveiy Trooper .Waugh prepared to have 7 the man brought into Auckland Hospital, and this was successfully don*. Life) however, was very far gone, and death occurred shortly after admission. Although the body is understoo_ to be almost unrecognisable, it is believed to b e that of Edward Huguea. a tanner, aged about 35, who had been missing from the Takanini district for about a. fortnight. Fro _ -nuuiries Which wcra' made this morn'rig, it is believed tint Hughes had wandered away.on different •7occasions. H e ' was employed o"« the ' v farm of Mr. Benjamin Johnson, an_ when the latter left for England with his family some time ago Hughes was 7 placed in change of the place. It is fur*ther stated that on returning Mr Johnson found that the caretaker had disapv -. 2 peared, and inquiries showed that he - had gone to Australia. He Was rep irtel 7 to be undergoing hospital treatment, a_l " ■ Mr. Johnson l.eivght him back to He*' Zealand. „ • Hugheg """as then given a wba'rc it which to'live, &_& he made HmSel. »•,_- ---• ful about the iarni. One morning earl/ jj '■ in the pte-jnt month his breakfast was j sent' out to the whare. but it rtemftinej/. ■■ there unto.t.„e_. and Mr. Johnson •>-*< . ported, tlio fact to tlie police at Patoikura. Trooper Waugh and •evefti settler- made extensive, search, out WiSi- . but "result. It wa 5 thought that the missing man migh have gone in the direction of the Manukau Harbour, where-he was found once before after having was-. j dered away. 2 ~' s •When Mr. Sheldon made the discovery he was not one of a -search party, :lmt was merely walking through the" bush. As far as ci be ascertained, Hughes was a single man of quiet ha_lta. He was stated to be a conscrentiow. ; worker, but a little unreliable owimg"t* : his peculiar habit of wandering. J_n 'inquest is to be held to-morrMr. <_———i_as—_«_aa_a_» .■ - j ■