RICHES SPURNED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 212, 21 August 1934, Page 5

RICHES SPURNED

Hermit’s Lonely Life MANY YEARS IN BUSH Crouched over a smoky fire in a dry river bed, shabbily clothed and with no blankets to guard him from the bitter cold, Robert Bradley, a la'iuded hermit, 75 years oi age, owning liches that would keep him in comfort tor the rest of his. life,'was found by the police a few days ago close to the country town of Orange, New South Wales. His family and his relatives in England are wealthy, yet. he sat rebelliously in the cells at. the police station awaiting, under compulsion, an interview with his brother, Mr Joseph Bradley, who wa s formerly manager in Sydney oi the New Zealand Press Association. Bradley owns share, worth between £lOOO and £S(X4), and he has £5OOO in cash. He said good-bye to his mother before going to the war, wild when the Armistice was signed there was no trace of iiini. Efforts to find him were fruitless, and recently there was nn implication before ths Supreme Court in Sydney to “presume him dead.” Jnlormution that Bradley had been wen at Mullion, m ar Grange, recently, was unsuccessfully followed, but u more definite report later caused a polieel oustalde to ride 30 miles to a spot on the Macquarie River m search oi him. The road was extremely rough in parts and the constable had to travel over the last tl i aehv reus mile el it on horseback. At, the riverside be tuuml the wealthy old hermit, who was ou the point of being declared “dead.” The man’s busby beard and grizzled, matted locks ot almost shoulder length were thrust forward above the tiny tire. Bradley did not. hesitate to admit his identity, but bis eyes showed astonishment when he was told that lie was “wanted.” However, be agreed to return with the constable, and he was placed that night iu the Orange lock-up. When he appeared before the Orange Court, Bradley strongly opposed tin efforts that were made to induce bun to return to Sydney with Ins brother ami elaini his property, He even denied that Mr. Joseph Bradley was bis brother, but tlie latter was able to convince tiie magistrate oi the relationship. "1 have been worried ior 20 years over this and the responsibility ol his property,” said Mr. Joseph Bradley. “1 have built his 110 shares into 733 aud J want to hand them over. He has relative, m England who are constantly inquiring where he i«. and there is also money coming to him from home.” Asked whether he would return to Sydney by tram, tile old man replied that Im would lalhei walk. He could do the journey m thru days, lie said Fitmlly. lie ;■ lie. d to go by tram w ill, his brother. It was arranged that In should see a. solicitor later but be luile.l to keep the appointment, and lias again been posted as “missing.’’ It is presumed that lll'adlc: h ... found the lure ot the open rend too strong, and tb.it lie has returned to (he eountrv. No anxiety is felt lo' him. but it’ is considered amuzm;: tin I lie has not seen fit Io claim the wealth that awaits him