LOST IN THE BUSH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 42

LOST IN THE BUSH.

THE MISSING MAN ROBERTSON.

THE BODY RECOVERED.

The body of the man Joseph Robertson, who wae reported on the 9th inst., as having been lost in the Leith Valley bush, was recovered on Sunday. Search parties were out daily since Monday, but up to Sunday afternoon 'their effortß were ineffectual.' On Sunday -morning a number or" volunteer search, parties, ' comprising fully 100 persons, msde a thorough search of the Leith Valley bush and fehe adjacent country below Swampy Hill, the search 'extending over an area of fully nine by four miles. The search was as far as possible systematic, and one of the smaller ' parties discovered the body when returning home, after hope oT findiig it ha'cT been abandoned. A very heavy thunder and rain storm .passed over the district shortly before 3 o'clock, drenching the whole of (he searchers, and this caused them to decide to give up the Eearch for the day. Mr Angustm Saurdou was the first to tea the body. It w»s found lying over a log in a creek that runs through the centre of the Leith Valley bush. The place is about a mile and a quarter from the district • road, but witbin a very short distance of a buHock track that would have led directly oufc of the bush — the same track by^ which Juhn M 'Donald, the deceased's mate, came to town. The theory is that Robertson wms following his mate up. as best he could, and succumbed when overtaken by fatigue. A* soon as the body was found one of the party was left with it, and tha others walked to the Police Station at Woodhaugh and reported the matter to. Constable Nolan, by whom the fact was telephoned to the* head office. Constable Nolan then went to the place indicated, and with assistance the body ' was carried out of the bush, placed in a conveyance, and taken to the Great Northern Hotel, -where it awaits a coroner's inquest. The readiness with which settlers and citizens have prosecuted the search, and the labour and fatigue which they have, willingly undertaken, are worthy of all praise.. Some quite elderly men have ,been untiring in their efforts, and even boys have worked beyand their s'vength in trjing to render afsistance. _A number oF la^s and others .took their do^s ■ and i-cnured the ci.uttt.ry, :.ivl ifc is b liovcrt 'f,a*; every settler in the oij^ioi taoli ho me )»art in trjing to help ■ the so.i or the' mining man, who was naturally deeply anxious, and who sicca the matter was reported has been working from daylight- to dark in searching for his f atherl . Our country readers are cordially invited to read the list of Christmas and New Year presents just i opened at Braithwaite's Book Arcade. andKuecially imported for country residents.

Five per cent, will be deducted from the gross of ali tnonnys paid in accordance with tbe pro- - gramme for expenses. In the event of any person entering a protest, the sum of £2 must be lodged with the Secretary before the pi otest is considered. The sum to be forfeited to the funds should the Stewards consider tbe protest frivolous or vexatious. The Stewards reserve to themselves the right to order any race to be run in heats or sections 1 should they consider it desirable to do so. All persons intending to withdraw horae3 are requested to sign the Secretary's book to that effect one half-hour before the official time of starting tha race. Any person neglecting or refusing to comply with this rule shall pay a fine, to be imposed by the Stewards, not exceeding 20sovs, to the Race Fund. Bates ef Nominations, Handicaps, and Acceptances. Nominations for all events cloae at 10 p m. on SATURDAY, Januaty 18, 1896. Handicaps declared »t noon' on FRIDAY, January 31. Acceptances for all- events clote at 10 p.m. on TUJtSDAY, February 11, 1896. HARHY L. JAMES, Secretary. High street (opposite Telegraph Offi:e), __, Dunedic. 19d