MAORI GIRL IN SCRUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21221, 29 June 1932, Page 10

MAORI GIRL IN SCRUB.

MISSING FOR A WEEK.

DIET OF TURNIPS AND KUMARAS,

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWS CORRESPONDENT-] "WHANG AREI. Tuesday.

A half-caste Maori girl, Ruth Sterling, was discovered last night on the "Whangaruru peninsula, where she hadjheen for a week. She was in an exhausted state when found, having lived during the period on turnips and kum^ras.

The girl, who had been Staying with her sister, left home last Tuesday. It was thought she had gone to a neighbour's house, but when she did not pci in an appearance the following day a search party was organised. Owing to' the fact that the peninsula is covered with bush and scrub, the search party had considerable difficulty and was unsuccessful.

Toward the end of the week the girl's relatives informed the police and Constable Quinn, of Hikurangi, went to Whangaruru and conducted another search, but without success. On Sunday Senior-Sergeant. Powell and Constable Beasley, of Whangarei, visited the scene, but were also unsuccessful.

However, last evening the girl found within 150 yards of her sistef's house. She had with her some sacks and a man's overcoat. Her experience must have been very trying, as ths weather lately has been very cold, with ft good deal of rain. Her condition is reported to-day as good.