LOST IN THE BUSH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 12, 4 February 1942, Page 5

LOST IN THE BUSH

TE WHAITI MAN'S EXPERIENCE

FOUR DAYS ABSENCE

WIDESPREAD SEARCH MADE

To have spent four days and three nights in the bush halfway between Te Whaiti and' Galatea was the unenviable experience of Mr O. E. Lynds, bushman of Te Whaiti, who after becoming 1 hopelessly 'bushed' last Wednesday was rescued in a very weakened condition by two of a large party of searchers! last Saturday afternoon.

Mr Lynds, who was engaged in -snigging posts five miles from the road, was working in conjunction with Mr Gus Grubner, a well-known "bushman, who was cutting and splitting the timber deep in the bush itMr Lynds job was to collect sledge the finished posts, out to the track, by the simple process of -discovering the various heaps made by his mate'. On Wednesday he states that he was about to boil the mid-day billy, when he set off to discover the next pile of posts, keeping to the rough tracks left by Mr Grubner. He found them, but on • endeavouring to ret rape his tracks he came lost, wandering deeper and -daeper into the dense forest. Bushman's Discovery. It was not until 5 p.m. when Mr "Grubner returned to the camping place that he observed the horses, and billy in readiness and guessed something was amiss. Making ah extensive search, he finally went and summoned help, walking to Murupara where Mr Lynds son owns a bakery. The pair returned but in -spite of their efforts they failed to locate the missing man. Organising the Search 'On Thursday morning, Constable Bidois, of Te Whaiti, organised a search party of Home Guardsmen and settlers, while Mr A., Carling of Whakatane formed a party which explored another section, but without success. On Friday the number bad grown to approximately forty, and their movements were assisted l>y the action of Gr Cawte, who placed the County truck at the disposal of the men. Mile.s of bush country were explored and the imprints of Mr Lynds footmarks and "those of his dog which accompanied Tiim were found many miles from the original rendezvous. Renewed efforts -were made but the tracks led deeper and deeper into'the forest and were finally lost. On Saturday the search party liad •grown to 80. strong, and was organised by Constable Bidois into separate sections, scouring every possible stretch of adjacent bush. Pig hunters, the bushmen were given individual work, while the . others split into parties under responsible leaders. The signal of discovery was agreed upon as three shots.

In Exhausted State At noon two men Messrs Brian Murrell and W, Teddy, who had entered the bush on horseback from the southern fern area were overjoyed to hear their call answered, •and making their way to, the spot discovered Mr Lynds resting against a tree. He was able to travel but was very weak. It was obvious that another day without food or Avater would possibly have had more serious results as he had exhausted himself climbing the ranges in an endeavour to get a look-out from which ' to take his bearings. After a little food he was able to proceed on horseback. 4y 2 Hour Journey The journey back occupied no less tTian 4% hours, an indication of the great distance he had wandered from his starting. point. After a rest over the week-end he was none the worse for his adventure. Much credit is due to, those who organised and took part in the search which is described as the largest and most strenuous ever o carried out in that district.