FOUR DAYS IN THE BUSH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 10

FOUR DAYS IN THE BUSH

MISSING BOY FOUND. DISCOVERY BY A DOG. CHILD'S TERRIBLE ORDEAL. HUNGRY AND FRIGHTENED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OAMART7, Thursday. The general community throughout the town and district rejoiced to-day when it became known that the small son of Mr. S. Morrison, of Waimotu Siding, some ten miles from Oamaru, who had been lost in the hills near Herbert, had been found alive. The child had been without food and exposed to stormy weather since Sunday morning. Mr. Morrison took his son Stanley, aged 6 years and 3 months, into the hills not far from Ofcepopo, where he intended inspectiug some stock. The child was instructed to await the return of his father, but set out to follow him. He immediately went astray and went on mile after mile through scrub and gorse until, utterly exhausted, he lay down to sleep. Hundreds Engage in Search. After Mr. Morrison's failure to discover the boy, search parties were organised and eventually three or four hundred people were engaged in a systematic exploration of the country. Heavy rain and fog impeded their efforts. When late on Wednesday night nothing had been seen of the boy, everybody gave up the hope of ever seeing him alive. On Thursday morrrng the search party was further strengthened and was broken into contingents, working outwards for miles. At about 11.30 a.m. the cry went up that he was found and alive. Immediately two horsemen dashed away for Dr. Trotter, who raced at the greatest possible speed in his ca'* to within a short distance of where the boy was. Mr. Nathaniel Stevens, of Otepopo, was the first man to see the boy. He was not the discoverer, however. He was accompanied by a dog and the animal was seen to go into some scrub and then yelp. Mr, Stevens called out and the child responded with a faint "Dad, dad." It was but a few seconds before Mr. Stevens was beside the child and giving liim a few drops of warm tea from a thermos flask. Wandered Five Miles. The spot, where the child was discovered was some five miles from the place where his father left him on Sunday. He was lying between two bushes. The famjshed child" was conveyed on an improvised stretcher to the doctor's car, and taken to his home. This afternoon, though his voice is 7erv weak, he described what had happened. He said he tried to follow his father, but lost his way and after a while lay down by a creek to rest Darkness came on and it began to ran, so he went to sleep. Next day he walked about and played throwing stones in the creek and amusing himself. He was very frightened at night, and it was very cold. When he felt hungry he went to the river and had a drink. * Ori being asked the question, " Who found you V the little fellow replied, " A doggie with a white tail." When Mrs. Morrison heard the news that her son was rflive she wept for joy. She had given up all hope of ever seeing him alive again.