Susan Heenan, (1843-20/2/1869). "just able to ask for water"

A case of sudden and most unexpected death has just occurred at Maungatua. Mrs W. Heenan, quite a young and, to all appearance, strong, healthy person, dropped down suddenly on Saturday evening. 21st February and her husband, on being called in from the stockyard, raised her head, and she was just able to ask for water, which were the last words she spoke. Dr McBrearty, of Outram, was sent for, but by the time he arrived the poor young woman (aged 25) had breathed her last. This sad case has cast a gloom over the district, for Mrs Heenan was universally liked and respected by all who knew her, and a very large number of settlers attended the funeral, although at great inconvenience to themselves during the present busy season. No inquest was considered necessary, Dr McBrearty being fully satisfied as to the cause of her death. She leaves a husband and five young children.   -Bruce Herald, 10/3/1869.

West Taieri Cemetery.

Robert Borrie, (1855-7/2/1877). "a gallant man"

By Monday the embankment was broken all along, and the water was rushing down every hollow, laying down crops and covering them with debris, drowning sheep, cattle, and horses. The rush of water was so sudden when the embankment broke that those who had not taken the precaution to drive their cattle to higher ground the night before or early in the morning had to let them take their chance. Every creek in the district was running full to the banks, culverts were running over and bursting in some places. A most melancholy accident happened about midday. There was a family named Cooper, consisting of husband, wife, and daughter, together with a lad staying with them, who obstinately refused to leave their place in spite of the persuasions of others. Mr. Nichol, butcher, of Outram, came with his cart for them, but they refused to leave; Mr Robert Borrie, of Huntley, also brought horses to save them, but still they refused to go. He went again, but they would not budge, though by midday they were apparently in imminent danger. Mr Borrie made a third attempt to save them, and in doing so, sad to tell, he was himself swept from off his horse, and, in spite of the efforts made to save him by his ploughman, T. Arthur, who swam to rescue him, he was swept under a hedge, from which he could not be extricated, and was drowned. He was a most promising young man, and his death has cast a gloom over the whole district. Much sympathy is felt for his mother, who is a widow. He died the death of a gallant man seeking to save his fellow creatures.  -Evening Star, 8/2/19877.

It is a very singular circumstance that exactly nine years ago the Rev. D. Borrie, brother of the late Mr Robert Borrie, who lost his life on Tuesday, nearly perished in attempting to save the same family from the same house. The late Mr Borrie, of Huntley, was 24 years of age.  -Evening Star, 9/2/1877.

The Evangelist remarks that the late Mr Robert Borrie, who was drowned in the floods in the Taieri district, "must have been thoughtful beyond his years; for he left a will duly executed, by which he gave to the Missions of our Church the insurance upon his life, amounting to £500."  -Otago Daily Times, 3/3/81877.

Referring to the exceedingly creditable descriptive poem in our present issue, by a wellknown local poet, whose previous poetical effusions have frequently adorned our columns, we have peculiar pleasure in congratulating him upon his treatment of a theme so melancholy as the sudden and unexpected departure of so estimable a young man as the late Mr Robert Borrie, of Huntly, West Taieri, whose death, on the evening of Wednesday, the 7th of February last, was thus described by us at the time, and which we now repeat with a view to aid the illustration of this excellent poem: — "Mr Borrie was only 24 years of age, and he was drowned while attempting to save a family named Cooper, consisting of Mr and Mrs Cooper and daughter, and a lad who was residing with them. These occupied a somewhat perilous position, which they had refused to leave, notwithstanding that they had been persuaded to do so. Mr Borrie made two ineffectual attempts to rescue them, and in essaying to do so a third time, while accompanied by others, he lost his own life. He was riding towards the place where the Cooper's were situated, and when passing over a hollow portion of the road where the current ran very strong, he was swept away and drowned under a hedge. His horse escaped, as also did Mr Borrie's companions. He was much respected by all who knew him, and his death has cast quite a gloom over the district." Mr Borrie's life was insured for £500, and the amount left by his will to the funds of the Presbyterian Church of Otago.  -Bruce Herald, 12/6/1877.

West Taieri Cemetery.

7/397 Trooper William Joseph Valentine Sinclair, (10/7/1890-6/5/1917). "not offered treatment"

A STRANGE CASE.

PRIVATE SINCLAIR'S STORY. 

INVALIDED FOR CONSUMPTION AND DIDN'T KNOW IT. 

At a recent meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board a statement was made to the board that a soldier had been invalided home from Egypt, and subsequently discharged in New Zealand without being informed of the nature of his ailment, which subsequently proved to be pneumonia. At to-day's meeting of the board the following report on the subject was received from the Medical Director of, the board's Tuberculosis (Dr J. G. Blackmore): — 

"In reply to your inquiry regarding Private William Joseph Valentine Sinclair, the following is his man's history: 

"He left New Zealand with the Main Expeditionary Force and was landed in Egypt. He considers that he got a cold going from Alexandria to Cairo, and since that time he has had more or less of a cough. He kept well, however, and quite fit for work until he had been in Egypt about three months, when he strained his back lifting a weight. He thinks that he also got an attack of influenza at the same time. He was medically examined and put to bed for two weeks. He was then sent to the convalescent camp fur five weeks. At this camp his chest was examined by Dr Trotter, and as the result, apparently, of this examination he was sent before a Medical Board, after which he was transferred to the invalids' camp for another five weeks, and then sent back to New Zealand. No one told him definitely what was wrong with him, but from his symptoms and the way he was examined he concluded that he was being invalided home on account of consumption. He felt pretty well on the voyage over and made no complaint. He was inspected once a week by the medical officer, along with other soldiers, but was never medically examined. He arrived in Wellington on May 5, when he, with others, was taken to the barracks. The next day he got his pay, was given a return ticket to Christchurch, and told he was granted twenty-eight days' furlough, and at the end of that time he was to report himself to the Defence authorities in Christchurch. He was not examined by any doctor in Wellington. He was not offered treatment or asked to go into hospital, nor was it suggested that he should obtain medical advice in Christchurch. He arrived in Christchurch on May 7, and went to stay with an uncle, with whom he had been staying before he went to the front. This uncle's name is Donald George Sinclair, and his address is 36, Idris Road, Fendalton. 

"Three or four days later, probably on the following Monday, Private Sinclair went to the barracks, saw an officer there, a captain, reported that he was not feeling well, and asked that a doctor should see him. The officer said that he would see about the matter, but Sinclair has heard nothing further since that time.

"As no arrangement had been made for a doctor to see Sinclair by the following evening the uncle, who was feeling uneasy about his nephew's condition, got Dr Diamond to see him, and Dr Diamond at once gave him a note to the dispensary to enable him to undergo treatment for consumption. I saw him at the dispensary on May 12. Owing to the Coronation Hospital being full I had some difficulty in arranging for a bed for him, but I admitted him on May 15. Sinclair was born in New Zealand, and his parents are dead. He has no settled home, but usually stays with his uncle in Christchurch when he is working about the town. Sinclair did not make any voluntary complaint to me, and the particulars I have given were elicited in reply to questions. I know nothing about the Defence Department's side of the question, and have merely given the details furnished to me by the patient himself."

Mr O. Bradley said the report disposed absolutely of a number of extravagant allegations made on the subject, as investigation of such charges generally did.

Mr J. D. Hall said there had never been any allegation against the board's officers. He considered it extremely regrettable, however. that a man should be discharged from military service on the grounds of his suffering from consumption, and that no one should take the trouble to tell him what was the matter with him, or to advise him to undergo proper treatment. That this had happened was the crux of the charges made and Dr Blackmore's report substantiated it.

The discussion on the subject then terminated.  -Star, 23/6/1915.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

DEATHS. 

SINCLAIR — On May 6, at Christchurch, William Joseph Valentine (late Expeditionary Force), youngest son of the late William and Elizabeth Sinclair; in his 27th year. Deeply regretted.  -Otago Witness, 9/5/1917.

West Taieri Cemetery.

25/692 Sergeant Walter Thomson, (31/7/1895-15/9/1916). "of great promise"

Sergeant Walter Thomson (killed in action) was the youngest son of Mr William Thomson, Maungatua. He was educated at the Maungatua and Otago High Schools. After passing his matriculation examination, he served for two years as pupil teacher at the Kaikorai and Wakari Schools. He then entered the Training College, and attended classes at the University. When 20 years of age he enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, N.Z.R.B. In a few days he was made lance-corporal, and by the time they reached France he had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. In France he and another were sent to a school of instruction for physical and bayonet exercises, afterwards becoming instructors. After the Rifle Brigade suffered so severely, he was reported wounded. When time passed and no word came from him, his friends became anxious, and made inquiries at the Defence Office in Wellington, but could get no information. The news concerning his death was first received from letters written by his comrades. One comrade in the same company said he was shot when they were storming the third German trench. A letter came from the chaplain of his battalion saying that he was buried on the field with some of his comrades. In a fortnight Mr Thomson received official notice that a mistake had been made, and that Sergeant Thomson had been killed, and not wounded. He was a lad of great promise, of a most cheerful disposition, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Mr Thomson has two other sons at the front. Trooper Aleck Thomson left with the Main Body. He contracted enteric on Gallipoli, was invalided to England, and is new with his old regiment in France. Private Frank Thomson enlisted in Australia, and is now in the motor transport service with the Australians in France. None of the brothers had' met, and six weeks afterwards did. not know of Walter's death. On Saturday Mr Thomson received a cablegram from a friend in London saying that Walter's grave was registered in Flers.  -ODT, 21/1/2/1916.

Punctually at 8.20 a.m., the 2nd and 3rd (Walter's) Battalions left the Brown Line and advanced towards the third objective. At this stage the 3rd Battalion lost three company leaders, Capt. Strang being killed and Capt. Thomson and Lieut. Masefield wounded.

On the right, the 2nd Battalion companies experienced little difficulty in dealing with their section of Flers Trench; but they came under heavy machine-gun fire from Flers Support as they moved forward from the former, and this caused a few minutes' check.

On the left, the 3rd Battalion found trouble at once. The wire in front of Flers Trench was practically intact, and, while held up by this obstacle, the leading companies suffered heavily at the hands of the German machine-gunners and snipers. Repeated efforts were made to break through the barrier, among these being a particularly daring bombing attack led by 2nd Lieut. R. A. Bennett, but all attempts proved utterly unavailing. The men thereupon took cover in shell-holes and awaited the arrival of the tanks, then momentarily expected. Lance-Corporal E. Bassett, becoming impatient, moved out into the open and repeatedly picked off enemy snipers as they showed their heads to fire. He put up an excellent score, and came through the ordeal without a scratch. Equally commendable was the work of a runner, Rifleman J. R. B. Harwood, who moved about the scattered parties in the shell-holes, establishing touch and aiding organization.

Two tanks came up at 10.30 a.m. One of them took up a position on the extreme left flank, while the second proceeded to deal with the wire and machine-guns holding up our men. Realizing the difficulties confronting the leading waves of the 3rd Battalion, Major J. Pow, of the 4th Battalion, together with 2nd Lieut. A. C. Fulton and a party of riflemen and bombers, moved forward to their assistance. Bombing along Flers Trench he met with wonderful success, capturing no fewer than 145 prisoners, including two officers. Bombing parties of the 3rd Battalion had also been active, and presently, this section of Flers Trench being taken, the rear waves of the battalion advanced. Sending parties up the saps and inwards from the left flank, they secured Flers Support and pressed on to capture their allotted portion of Abbey Road. -Official History of the NZ Rifle Brigade.

West Taieri Cemetery.

John Snow, (1869-29/6/1891). "missing from his home"

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

John Snow, twenty years of age, was missed from his home at Outram on Sunday, and, as he is of weak mind, fears are entertained of his safety. To-day Constable Griffiths found the young man's jacket and hat on the bank of the Taieri River, which is now being dragged,  -Evening Star, 30/6/1891.

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES

The body of the young man John Snow, who has been missing from his home at Outram since Sunday, was found in the Taieri River yesterday. Deceased, who was the adopted son of the late Richard Snow, of Outram, was employed on the Abbotsford Farm (Mr J. R Blair's property), and was last seen on Sunday afternoon, about two o'clock. It was his custom to visit his foster-mother, Mrs Wallace, of Outram, every Sunday, and as he did not return to the farm at night it was thought that he had stayed over night with her, but when he had not returned by Monday night Mr Blair informed the police of the matter. Search was then made for him, and as his coat and hat were found on the river bank, and footsteps were plainly visible leading to the water, the river was dragged, with the result that late yesterday the body of the unfortunate young man was brought to the surface. No reason can be assigned for the apparently rash step taken by the deceased. An inquest on the body was held at Outram to-day.  -Evening Star, 1/7/1891.

West Taieri Cemetery.

5/688 Lance-corporal William Patterson Fraser, (26/8/1892-23/10/1918). "Inverness, Scotland"

William Fraser was born in Inverness, Scotland, and originally joined the Army Service Corps but was transferred to the NZ Machine Gun Corps.  In that Corps he was hospitalised with a gunshot wound to a leg after the disastrous failed attack on Bellevue Ridge in the Battle of Passchendaele on October 12, 1917.

He returned to the Corps the following March, in time to be part of the defence against the German spring offensive. The months following, the Corp experienced something new - advancing freely against a retreating enemy through open country.  It was during that time, in an attack in the Selle River area of France, that William Fraser was killed in action. He lies in the Romeries Cemetery, France.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

DEATHS. 

FRASER. — On October 23, killed in action, William Patterson Fraser (8th Reinforcements), fourth, son of Elizabeth and the late T. C. Fraser, 12 Normanby street, Musselburgh; aged 26 years.  -Otago Daily Times, 12/11/1918.

West Taieri Cemetery.

8/763 Private James McLeod, (9/12/1885-8/3/1916). "sweet rest at last"

OUTRAM. At a meeting of the Outram Committee on Tuesday evening (Mr Holm presiding), details were arranged for a welcome home social next week to Private McLeod, who has been invalided home from the fighting lines.  -Otago Daily Times, 29/10/1915.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY.

DEATHS

McLEOD — On March 8, 1916, at Palmerston, Private James McLeod', dearly beloved eldest son of Mr James McLeod, of Outram and brother of Mrs Weir, of Omimi; aged 31 years. 

He saw and did his duty.  -Evening Star, 9/3/1916.

F U N E R A L  N O T I C E.

The Friends of Mr JAMES McLEOD are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late SON, Private JAMES McLEOD, which will leave his Residence, Buckeye House, Outram, TO-MORROW (SATURDAY), 11th inst., at 2 o'clock, for the West Taieri Cemetery. 

FRAPWELL & HOLGATE, Undertakers, (Late Cole and Springer).  -Otago Daily Times, 10/3/1916.

LATE PRIVATE McLEOD.

Private James McLeod, 10th Regiment of New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, was the eldest son of Mr James McLeod, Buckeye House, Outram. After being 14 weeks in the trenches at Gallipoli he was invalided home, having suffered from diphtheria and jaundice; but he gradually got weaker, and on the 8th inst., at Pleasant Valley, he passed away. The body was taken to Outram and a military funeral was held on Saturday. The Rev. Wm. Spence officiated, and the band of the 4th Regiment, under Lieutenant George, and a firing party of Anzac soldiers attended, under Sergeant-major Cuddie. The pallbearers were the local Territorials, under Sergeant Grant. Funeral service was held in the Drill Hall by the Rev. Mr Spence, all the members of the family being present. A very large number of mourners followed the remains to the West Taieri Cemetery. On return from the cemetery the band, the firing party, and all in uniform were entertained in the Oddfellows' Hall by the Outram Patriotic Committee to afternoon tea, sandwiches, cakes, and fruit, which was much appreciated.  -Otago Daily Times, 17/3/1916.

James McLeod's Army record shows that he died of tuberculosis of the lungs.

• Private James McLeod, Otago Infantry invalided from Gallipoli, and died at Pleasant Valley Sanatorium.  -Otago Witness, 29/3/1916.

Private James McLeod, who died in Pleasant Valley Sanatorium, was the eldest son of Mr James McLeod, Buckeye, Outram. He was educated at the Stoney Creek school, near Balclutha, and followed creamery work for five years, but latterly took to farming. He was one of the first to enlist, joining the Main Body, and after being 16 weeks in the trenches at Gallipoli was invalided home last October. His youngest brother, Campbell, left with the Sixth Reinforcements, and is now in Egypt.  -Otago Witness, 29/3/1916.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE. 

IN MEMORIAM. 

McLEOD. — In loving remembrance of Private James McLeod, who died at Palmerston Sanatorium on March 8, 1916. 

He bore his pain, he bore it well, But what he suffered none can tell; 

Peacefully sleeping, resting at last, Life's weary troubles and sufferings past. 

— Inserted by his father, sisters, and brothers. 

McLEOD. — In loving memory of Private James McLeod, who died at Palmerston on March 8, 1916, beloved eldest son of James McLeod, Outram. 

His weary hours and days of pain; his troubled nights are past, 

His ever patient worn out frame has found sweet rest at last; 

Buried in a soldier's grave, laid aside like other brave, 

His life for king and right was given. 

— Inserted by his sister and brother-in-law, M. and W. Weir, Omimi.  -Otago Daily Times, 8/3/1917.

East Taieri Cemetery.

Malcolm Henry McLeod, (1903-27/8/1920). "the great loss"

DEATHS

McLEOD. — On August 27, 1920, at his parents' residence, Momona (after a short illness), Malcolm Henry, dearly loved eldest son of George and Sarah McLeod; aged 17 years. Deeply mourned.  -Otago Daily Times, 28/8/1920.

Obituary. — It is with deep regret that I have to record the death, which occurred at an early hour this morning, of Malcolm MsLeod, eldest son of Mr and Mrs George McLeod, of Momona. His illness was so brief (of less than a week's duration) that many people were not even aware of it, and his death came as a profound shock. Malcolm was a splendid boy, only 17 years of age, and his untimely death will be deplored by everybody in Momona, where he was a great favourite. He was particularly well known as a drover of cattle, and though only a boy, he had few equals on the road. The sympathy of the whole district will go out to Mr and Mrs McLeod end family in no unstinted measure in the great loss which they have sustained.  -Otago Witness, 31/8/1920.

East Taieri Cemetery.

Ross Adamson, (1923-9/9/2004). "mystery man of Silver Peaks"

Search For Mystery Man In Otago Hill Country

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN. November 6.

A Dunedin police party is searching the wild Silver Peaks area, 15 miles north-west of Dunedin, for a mysterious man who was encountered by trampers on Sunday. 

The police do not discount the possibility that the man, who has been seen on several occasions in the last 18 months, may be Paul Keogh. a 33-year-old Mosgiel resident, who disappeared without trace on April 25, 1955. 

The Mystery man was descending a track near a hut on Green Hill when he was seen on Sunday afternoon. He fled into the bush when he saw the party. 

One of the trampers, Dr. R. L. Cotton, said the man seemed terrified and did not respond to his invitation to return and talk, then another member of the party spoke more sternly, the man something about looking for a dog and disappeared. 

Dr. Cotton said the man was blackened as though he had been through a fire. He was heavily bearded and his hair was unkempt. The man's feet and legs were bare but his trousers may have been rolled up. He wore a piece of what looked like oiled silk in the form of a cape. 

Dr. Cotton formed the opinion that the man was weak and emaciated. 

Later, when the party looked back they saw him searching round a hut, presumably for food. Other parties have reported seeing a man in the district. Shooters on one occasion came to a hut to find it locked. The person inside would not open it and seemed reluctant to talk, although he inquired if it was a police party. 

Difficult Task Yesterday afternoon, Sergeant J. D. Farquhar and Constables J. Barber. J. Orlowski, and D. Osborne went in from Waitati with a week’s supplies. They intended to borrow a pack horse from an outlying farm. 

The task before the party is a difficult one. The country, all of it rugged and much of it bushed, runs to 3000ft and is infested with wild pigs and deer. It is popular with tramping parties from Dunedin. 

There are numerous huts in the area for the use of trampers, shooters and musterers. It is conceivable that a person could live on the supplies cached at these huts by the various users, and that their disappearance would be put down to other visitors. 

The police think the blackened appearance of the mystery man may be due to his living in a cave. 

A finding that Keogh, a bricklayer, had apparently died from causes unknown was returned at an inquest on April 13, 1956. Evidence was given that he seemed ‘‘just his normal self” when he left his home in his car on Anzac Day, 1955. Some days later, his car was found in the Outram glen. The doors were shut and one window was down.  -Press, 7/11/1957.

MYSTERY MAN IN OTAGO

Police Search Fails 

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, November 10. 

No trace was found of the mystery man of the silver peaks by the police party, headed by Sergeant J. D. Farquhar, of the Central station, which returned yesterday after a four-day search. Sergeant Farquhar said the task of finding anybody who did not want to be found was almost impossible in the country where the search had been conducted.

The party had found a cave, which they thought had been used for shelter in the last few days. The remains of a fire could be seen and tussock and fern had been used for bedding.  -Press, 11/11/1957.

Youths Capture Pig Believed To Be “Mystery Man’s” Pet

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, March 24. 

During the week-end, six youths from the Otago Boys’ High School, tramping in the Silver Peaks area, led to captivity the pig which is believed to have been the pet of the Silver Peaks “mystery man.” 

The youths — J. Willis, B. Smith, K. Duncan, J. Church, R. Kershaw, and D. Fulton — were at the Jubilee hut when the pig appeared. It was quite tame and could be patted like a dog. When the youths left for the Mount John hut the pig followed them, and even after a night they were unable to shake it off. Finally it followed them down to the Silver Peaks Station, where it was led into a pen. 

Landholders in the area believe that the man is still there, as they report the killing of a number of sheep, presumably for food, but they also think he may be ill as the pig has deserted him. No action is being taken by the police to renew the search of several months ago for the mystery man.  -Press, 25/3/1958.

SEARCH FOR HERMIT

Settlers To Join Police 

Settlers in the Silver Peaks area in the back country behind Whare Flat, Otago, are planning a manhunt to aid armed police to locate a hermit, “the mystery man of Silver Peaks,” whose smokeblackened cave was last week discovered by Mr H. I. Adams, of Silver Peaks homestead. 

Mr Adams said in a telephone interview last evening: “He has cost us a lot of money, shooting sheep. We want to get rid of him.” He said that an armed police party of five, headed by Sergeant J. Farquhar, was out all last night watching the neighbourhood of the hermit’s cave. 

Parties of settlers would join the police and intended to comb the area to find the hermit who had “been living in the cave for two years or more.” 

The cave, which was partly bricked up with fragments of rock, was 2000 feet up rocky bluffs and commanded a wide sweep of the approaches. The cave had evidently been recently abandoned. When he found the cave, said Mr Adams, it contained three axes, three tomahawks, some primitive tin eating implements and a rifle with one round in it. 

He said settlers considered that the hermit had taken his remaining stocks of ammunition and a second rifle with him when he left the cave. The hermit’s pet pig ambled into the Silver Peaks homestead yard last week. 

There had been a fleeting glimpse of the hermit last year when he was reported to have been hairy, ragged and elusive, said Mr Adams. 

Mr Adams said the hermit was dressed in tattered shorts and a ragged leather jacket. One ragged and heavily thumbed book was found in the cave. The title of the book was “This New World.” 

Police consider the hermit may be a resident who disappeared in mysterious circumstances more than two years ago. Superintendent W. S. Brown, of Dunedin, said yesterday that the police did not contend that the hermit was a fugitive from the police.  -Press, 1/4/1958.

SEARCH FOR HERMIT

Armed Party Eluded 

The hermit, known in the Mosgiel district as the “mystery man of Silver Peaks," has shifted camp to other caves near his smokeblackened hide-out, and is still eluding farmers and armed police who combed the area for him throughout yesterday and last night. 

Mr H. I. Adams, of Silver Peaks Station, where the hermit has had a mountain cave for more than two years, said last evening: "We had a big search today over a wide area, and finally found his belongings in another cave near his original one. 

"Searching further, we found a terrific pile of burned bones in another nearby cave. He must have eaten a lot of our sheep during his stay. 

“The police are continuing the search tonight. We are sure he is still in there. We could almost feel him watching us from the bluffs near the caves we were searching.” 

Mr Adams said that near the mouth of the deserted original cave, settlers and police found two freshly-dressed legs of mutton thrown down on the grass, indicating that the hermit had recently been in the vicinity.  -Press, 2/4/1958.

Police Persuade Hermit To Return To Dunedin

(New Zealand Press Association)! DUNEDIN, April 28. 

The elusive hermit of Silver Peaks who for so long has evaded one search party after another has been found. He is Ross Adamson, a 31-year-old clerk, who disappeared into the rugged back country 20 miles from Dunedin more than three years ago. 

Three young members of the Police Force — Constables J. Barber and A. Matheson and DetectiveConstable K. Aitken — came across Mr Adamson by chance today during a shooting trip to Whare Flat and persuaded him to accompany them back to Dunedin.

At the Central Police Station tonight Mr Adamson, frail and slight, had a wash and a good hot meal, for which he seemed grateful, a police officer said. 

Constable Barber said that after shooting for about two hours they walked up a fire break on a saddle at Whare Flat. From a hut where the “hermit” was reported to have been seen six weeks ago smoke was coming. 

Jokingly, the remark that “it might be the hermit” was passed, and they went up to the hut and knocked on the door. The occupant invited them in. 

All three recognised Mr Adamson immediately, Constable Barber said, and, after talking with him for some time, they left the hut and discussed among themselves the best thing to do. They decided to go back and, when questioned, Mr Adamson admitted his identity.

Mr Adamson told the party he had watched more than one of the search parties on several occasions; often from a spot not far away from the searchers. 

Asked how he had existed in the rugged country, he said he always had plenty of meat, although salt and cigarettes were the most difficult things to acquire. In his hut he had porridge, barley, curry, and small tinned goods. He was able to offer the three policemen a cup of tea, and he assured them that he was never short of matches. He said he often found money left by people passing through, and he had 24s 5d in his possession. 

Although of extremely slight build, Mr Adamson was remarkably fit and looked quite healthy. He claimed that in the three years spent out in the open he had never been ill.  -Press, 30/4/1958.

Remanded On Theft Charge

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 30. 

Ross Adamson, aged 34, was charged, before Mr J. D. Willis, S.M.. in the Dunedin Magistrate’s Court, with the theft between October, 1956, and December 29 1956, of a rifle, the property of Leslie Watson Gilmore. He was remanded in custody till May 7. 

Slightly built, about 5ft 2in. clean-shaven, with a newly cut crop of sandy hair, Adamson appeared in white duck prison garb, partly covered by a heavy brown overcoat. 

Detective Sergeant A. E. Leadley, applying for the remand, said it was almost certain there would be other charges.  -Press, 1/5/1958.

“HERMIT” PLACED ON PROBATION

Thefts From Huts In Silver Peaks Area 

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, May 7. 

A single man who for the past three years lived as a hermit in the Silver Peaks area near Waitati, Ross Adamson, aged 34, was sentenced to probation for two years on charges of theft when he appeared before Mr J. D. Willis. S.M.. in the Magistrate’s Court, today.

Adamson was charged with stealing a .303 rifle, valued at £12, the property of Leslie Watson Gilmour, at Double Hill, near Waitati, between October 1, 1956, and December 29, 1956. He was also charged with stealing a tent and carving knife, valued at £20 10s, the property of the Lands and Survey Department, at Silver Peaks between May 10 and May 13, 1957.

Detective-Sergeant K. T. F Samson said Adamson had been apprehended by the police on April 29, and had been in custody since. He had never previously been before the Court. The involved thefts from huts in the Silver Peaks area.

Mr A. P. McAlevey said Adamson was in sound physical and mental condition. Two physical defects, however, had left him with a marked inferiority complex. He had elected to live the life of a hermit because he had been unable to face up to a minor matter in civil proceedings which were being brought against him. He had suffered more punishment than any penalty the Court could enforce. Friends had “rallied round him” and he would certainly have both a home and a job.  -Press, 8/5/1958.

Ross Adamson does not feature in New Zealand newspapers after his court appearance.  A family grave in Dunedin's Andersons Bay Cemetery has on record the ashes burial of a man with the same name, who died in 2004 at the age of 81. His occupation is recorded as "retired clerk."

24/858 Rifleman John Thomas, (4/3/1894-24/6/1916) and 8/2681 Private Hector Malcolm, (19/7/1892-12/10/1917) McLeod. "how we miss them"

Mr Hector McLeod, Mosgiel, received word last week that his son, Private John McLeod, had been killed in action. On receipt of the news flags were hoisted on the business places as a tribute to his memory.   -Otago Witness, 19/7/1916.

The Call of the Empire.

Rifleman John Thomas McLeod (killed in action) was the fourth son of Mr Hector MsLeod, fields inspector, Mosgiel (who is well known in Tokomairiro district). Advice has been received that, at the time of his death, Rifleman McLeod was with a party working in the trenches in France, when killed by a German sniper. A bullet penetrated his brain, and death was instantaneous. The officer commanding the company has written to the deceased's mother, informing her that her son was "a good comrade and a keen and brave soldier," Another brother of Rifleman McLeod is Private Hector McLeod (wounded in France on September 16th). He left New Zealand with the Sixth Reinforcements. He saw service at Gallipoli, and was there at the evacuation. In a letter received by his mother, Private McLeod stated he was wounded in the back of the neck by a piece of high explosive shell while advancing over No Man's Land. He is now in hospital at Brockenhurst, England, and is doing well.  -Bruce Herald, 16/11/1916.

McLEOD. — In loving memory of Rifleman John Thomas McLeod (2nd Battalion E.L.O.), who was killed while in action "Somewhere in France" on June 24, 1916, dearly beloved fourth son of Hector and Elizabeth McLeod, Mosgiel; aged 21 years. 

In a distant land he lies, At rest in a soldier's grave; 

His battle fought, his name enrolled On the scroll of the deathless brave.

How the life was sped we know not, What the last word, look, or thought, 

Only that he did his duty — Died as bravely as he fought. 

— Inserted by his loving parents, sisters, and brothers.  -Otago Daily Times, 23/6/1917.

FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.

IN MEMORIAM. 

In loving memory of 24/858 Rifleman John Thomas McLeod, who was killed while in action "Somewhere in France" on June 24, 1916, dearly beloved fourth son of Hector and the late Elizabeth McLeod, Janefield, Mosgiel; aged 21 years. Also of Donald, dearly beloved eldest son who was accidentally killed at Wingatui on July 7, 1910; aged 23 years. 

Time may heal the broken-hearted, Time may make the wound less sore; 

But time can never stop the longing For the loved ones gone before. 

— Inserted by their loving father sisters, and brothers.  -Otago Daily Times, 24/6/1918.

McLEOD.—In loving memory of Private Hector Malcolm McLeod (8/2651, Sixth Reinforcements), who was killed in action at Passchendaele, October 12, 1917, dearly beloved third son of Hector and the late Elizabeth McLeod, Janefield, Mosgiel; aged 25 years. 

"To memory ever dear." 

— Inserted by his loved ones.  -Otago Witness, 14/10/1919.

McLEOD. — In loving memory of Private Hector Malcolm McLeod, killed in action at Passchendaele on October 12, 1917, and Rifleman John McLeod, killed in action at Armentiercs, June 24, 1916. Also our dear mother, who passed away at Janefield, Mosgiel, on October 25, 1917, and Donald, accidentally killed at Wingatui on July 7, 1910. 

Our lips cannot speak how we loved them, Our hearts cannot tell what to say, 

God only knows how we miss them, As we battle on life’s rough way. 

— Inserted by their loved ones.  -Otago Daily Times

, 12/10/1923.

East Taieri Cemetery.