A Strange Character.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 572, 19 February 1891, Page 2

A Strange Character.

A YOUNG MAN OLE AUS AWAY TO THE HILL 9.

On January 23rd a young man named Edward Davis, employed at Mr Kempthornc’a place, Ormond, disappeared in such a way that a mystery was at once created. As ha did not return, though he was believed to have a cheque for £ll that was not presented at the bunk, and hud also left his clothes aud £3 wages due, the affair seemed a most extraordinary one. All kinds of rumors got into circulation, soma foolish people not scrupling to state that they believed murder had been oommitcedf and as the daye wore on and there was preUy conclusive proof that the

young man had not left by some vessel (as his brother publicly announced was his belief) the mystery became still more difficult of’ explanation. On Monday morning tho affair was cleared up when, about daybreak, the wanderer called at the house of Mr R. P. Lswi j , Waimata. In reply to enquiries— Mr Lowis knew Davis well—the visitor paid he had not hal anything to cat since tho previous morning. He hid, ha said been living among tho hills and in the bu h near Wi Peru’s place, and had walked 18 miles during tho night, ro ns to get to Mr Lewis' place, because he had run short of food. He did not look unwell or seem wrong in his mind. He said he had taken a bag < t oatmeal and some apples wi h him, and the reason why he h ul gone away was beeauee ho feared he would be forced into litigation and his property eaten up with costs because ha had given information about a disgusting crime committed in Ashburton (which had not been brought into Court, as his evidence would be all there was for the Crown). He ate a hearty meal at Mr Lewis’ place, assisted with the cows, and promised to prolong his Rtay for a few days. He stayed about the house contentedly until after dinner, and about half-past one said he would take a stroll on the hill. To Mr Lewi ? surprise he did not return. He seemed fidgetty about people coining for him, having the subject of prosecution uppermost in his mind, but otherwise was quite rational in all he said and did. In the evening a person answering his description was seen on the hill at the back of Mr Sievwright’s place, and on Tuesday afternoon the same person is believed to have been again seen, but he disappeared on being approached. Even if be were taken there appears to be no grounds for interfering with his liberty if he objected, assuming he is rational as it appears.