THE HERMIT OF FLAGSTAFF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20959, 24 February 1930, Page 7

THE HERMIT OF FLAGSTAFF

REMOVED TO THE HOSPITAL CONDITION REPORTED SERIOUS For many years the hut of Mr Ben Rudd, popularly known as the “Hermit of Flagstaff,” has been'well known to many residents of Dunedin. Yesterday a visit was paid to the hut, which is near the sanatorium on the Whare Flat road, by Mr and Mrs Alex. G. Stratton, of Mornington, who found the hermit in a critical condition. He was very ill, and had been unable for some time to fend for himself, land had consequently been without attention of any sort. Mrs Stratton stayed at. the hut while her husband went to Ashburn Hall to telephone to the police. Several constables, the ambulance, • and Dr R. P. Wilson, of the Hospital staff, were despatched, but it was found that the ambulance could nof make it way to the hut, and it had to be left in a paddock about a; mile and a-half away. With the aid of the ambulance driver and several civilians, the constables finally succeeded in carrying the sufferer through the bush to the ambulance, and he was conveyed to the Hospital, where he now lies in a somewht serious condition, and the nature of his illness had not been ascertained last night. Mr Rudd is 87 years of age.