CURIOUS CAVE DWELLER'S HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 430, 12 February 1909, Page 8

CURIOUS CAVE DWELLER'S HOUSE

DISCOVERED AT DUNEDIN. (DT TELEGEAPH-rSPECIAL COEEESFONDENTI)' . Dunodln, February 11. A few days ago while'two lads were climbing on'the .cliffs on Mrs. Cutten's property, facing Otago/Harbour, they came upon a hut' skilfully,:builfc into a small cave, 'about 50ft., up the faco of the cliff. The cave had beeii: enlarged, : and a . roof of kauri planks had been carefully made, the front covered with sheots of. rubberoid and the whole, coated with, tar.'- Inside the cave wer'p found a well-made stretcher, an assortment of carpenter's.tools,, a. miner's pick, a mirror, and a set [of. shaving. appliances. Further'. search 7 disclosed candles, cartridges, a quantity.: of/, fusesj.uncouple of Aurora lamps,, methylated spirits)',®'' .few. magazines, a quantity, 'of tea, .and >'a sugar-bag containing small'; metal . from: ~ the: q'uaiiiy.';A'close-watch was kept on the,place in the meantime, and Mrs., QuttenV was cqn- : sultbd, as to whether 1 the man was'there-with ■her consent,': but . she was una,ware that she : .had such'.'a'.'tenant'-.on, her property. A rope : was then procured, and: Constable R,ipf;s .descended into the cave - and lowered the hut and its contents to the bottom,.from whence everything was then removed to the polico station.- The police are of the , opinion that the man-is some crank,-andt'do not entertain .the idea that .the pWe was , intended as a store-; room for plunder, as no thief would risk his neck in the way the man must have done" ■every, time -he descended to,- his dwelling-. ■ place. . .