MISSING BOY RETURNS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 2 November 1922, Page 8

MISSING BOY RETURNS.

A PALMERSTON INCIDENT.

After being missing from his home since 4 p.m. on Thursday, a I.o* yearold boy named Neil Fletcher, whose parents reside in Campbell street, Palmerston JSJorth, returned about 5:30 the following morning. On Thursday evening quite a number engaged in the search for the lad, including Boy fecouts and residents, who placed their motor-cars at the disposal of the searchers. Although the Scouts and iersr scoured *he country until the early hours, of the morning no trace was found of the wanderer, who came home at the time stated in a perfectly normal condition. _ Interviewed "by a Standard reporter, Jl j 8 mother stated that late on Inursday afternoon the boy had gone into the house and taken sevenpence which was left there for him to obtain some bread from a baker whose premises were quite near to the residence. He went out presumably on his errand but did not return. Me was, she stated, of a reticent disposition, but by questioning the lad gathered that he had wandered on and on forgetful of his mission and enjoying the walk. Ultimately, he got past the cemetery and as it was then dusk was probably afraid to repass it, and continued on in the direction of Whakaronga, which he reached at nightfall. Apparently he lost his way, and at Whakaronga knocked at the door of a house, but was startled by a dog, and took shelter in a. shed, where he spent the night waiting for daylight. rln the small hours of the morning he set out on his return, and arrived^ strange to say, not in the least exhausted though he complained of. the cold during the night. Of the money which he had had .witV him he. had only spent a penny on biscuits, and brought the rest back with him. : The lad affirmed that he had not been frightened, but had stayed awake m the outbuilding waiting for light enough to see his way to town.