AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1839, 27 August 1913, Page 8

AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE.

WILD NIGHT ON THE HILLS.

WRECK PARTY'S FINE EFFORT. In blinding -rain . squalls, through dense bush and up hill and) do™ dale, on tlio blackest and dirtiest of dirty nights, Captain Johnston's wreck party managed to reach tho scene of tho wrecked steamer Devon, after what is described as a superhuman effort, early yesterday morning. _ Micro were persons in this particular party—Captain Johnston (Harbourmaster), Captain Hayward (pilot), ilr. J. Peters (signalman), Constables G. Johnstono and J. Forsyth, two newspaper -reporters, and a photographer. The "wreck gang," rs tlioy called themselves, left town in the CJobar at 10.30 p.m. oiii Monday. At about 11.20 p.m. they disembarked] at Rona Hay, after having borrowed two hurricane lamps,from the skipper of, the Cobar. Residents liy the lato boat to "tho Bay" sympathised with members of the "wreck gang" on account of tho journey ahead of them oil such a night. With light hearts, however, tho party set olf in good spirits, and 1 several "sido wagers" were made as to the probablo time of arrival at Pencarrow lighthouse. Some said that tho journey would take 'a couple of hours, and others said three hours. They were all out, however, for .iiliG wanderings of the vanguard over hill and crag took exactly four hours and' ten minutes. Tho road presently merged into a truck over tho hills, 11-ain came clown in torrents, and

tho wind howled in its fury. 'Everybody was wot, but everybody was cheerful. Considering tho nature of the country, good going was made, but it was found difficult to keep to the track. All 'of a sudden a. gust of wind put tho light out, and ai minute later tho ory went up, "We've lost tho track." After many vain attempts', the lamp was lit, and tho 'party blundered on through waist-high scrub, sopping wet. Stumbling a/tid slipping tho men in front forged ahead, closely followed' by the men in tho rear. Indian file was now the order of march-.

Presently a joyful shout, "We'vo found the track 1" camo from tho leading man. "The track! the traokl" was echoed back along tho line, and again good progress was mado, despite tho stinging blasts of rain and wind. Soon "it.became evident that the party was making too far inland, and a halt was called. A council was held, and it was eventually decided to make to the right. One could hear tho sea roaring in° that direction. The operation' of making to the right was easier said than dono, for-the party had got 011 to a spur of a fliill much further inland. Now came tho difficult operation of getting ■back to the original spur. Slipping, sliding, gliding, and skating, tho men made their various ways down the sido of a steer) decline.

Anon a'man in front would disappear suddenly. His feet had gone from under him, and in a sitting position ho would slide through slush and mud' over l'uts for a distance of ten yards, and so on.

"That's a beauty, old man," someone would exclaim. "Yes," would como back the answer from tho dark depths.. "I guess I will do it again presently," and suro enough 110 did 1 .

So tho "wreck gang" stumbled blindly forward in what was thought to bo

tile direction of l'cncarrow Lighthouse. The lights of Wellington city could be plainly seen across the harbour, and Falcon Shoal buoy red light was taken as a bearing. It seemed as if tho party would never bo able to get fast that red light. It would be completely lost for half an hour, and there suro enough it would turn up again in what appeared to be its original position. After about two hours had been spent 011 tho road tho party got completely bushed. At that time tho hardest work of- tho whole journey wa3 indulged in, and it bccamo a bitter fight with nature.

Somehow or other tho eight had onloavoured to cross a deep gully instead

of keeping to tho spur of tho hills. Down, down they went, following their leader into stygion darkness. Presently supplcjaoks wero encountered, and dense ' undergrowth. Straining and struggling, amongst dripping foliage, and following in close order, the men tried to forco their way through tho virgin bush. It was tough work. On occasions a man would disappear altogether, and away down below tho others lie could' bo heard call-

ing, "Coo-cc, coo-eel" After a great stnigglo tho lost member would bo found and put upon his feet again. On ono occasion, whilst travelling through this awful gully, 0110 man put his foot on top of a big tree fern. He put his other leg forward and fell a distance of 10 or 12 feet. Fortunately tho scrub brolto his fall.

.When tho other side had been reached

there was a particularly steep hill to bo climbed, and it.was hero that the members of the party became separated. One man—the photographer—was lost, and a search found him hung up amongst tlie branches of a treo with his camera equipment round his neck. When the top of tho big spur 'was reached, Pcncarrow Light beamed out, and a cheer went up. But, as it was subsequently proved, that light was as yet a long, long way off. Captain Johnston, the two reporters, and Constables Johnston and Forsyth wero in tho front,'and Captain Hay ward,. Mr. Peters, and Mr. Billings, the photographer, wero behind. I Tho forward party mado excellent progress, Captain Johnston being particularly bright and merry. Tho forward party * forged alidad quickly, and managed to keep to the track.' As they approached tho hills in tho vicinity of the lighthouse tho wind became terrific. At last tho haven was reached. The first thinglooked for was a tank of water. AVhon this was found, somo welcomo draughts of cool water quenched a burning thirst. Soon Mr.jßaynor, principal keeper, and his wilo mado their appearance,and tho "wreck gang" was invited inside, and there hot coffeo and biscuits wero much appreciated. The rear members of tho party camo up about threequarters' of an hour later, and they l'Cr ceived similar treatment at tho hands of Mr. Edmonds, assistant-keeper, and Mr. Abrahams, schoolmaster. Everybody was wet through and covered with nntd from head to foot. Soon socks and boots wero to bo seen drying by open firoplaces, and tho kindness of tho light-keepers and their wives was much appreciated by members of that "wreck gang," who had travelled practically all night over tho hills ail pitch darkness and in the faco of a howling gale and blinding rain squalls, to render what aid ilioy could to tho moll on tho Devon.