STORM-STRESSED SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 248, 8 July 1918, Page 4

STORM-STRESSED SOUTH

CONDITIONS SLOWLY IMPROVING

ARTHUR'S PASS CUT OFF

FROM SUPPLIES

By Tckeraph.-Pross Association. Christchurch, July G. Telegraphic conditions are- gradually improving. Two wires arc now in operation to Iho West Coast, giving communication to Wellington, and Hie work is now being kept down fairly well. The operating stall' was employed all last night, coping with the accumulation oi work, and tho lines wore all clear by half-past fivo this morning. Tho wnvio of tho East Coast lines are etill down, and there is small prospect of their being restored for Bomo days.

THE PLIGHT OF ARTHUR'S PASS

Christchurch, July G. Some, of tho residents in Arthur's I'ass district aro reported to be cut off from provisions. It is hoped to reach these isolated places to-morrow. It is now a week einco (he last train carrying supplies went through to Arthur's Pass. Supplies are also running very low at Haiimer Springs, whore at latest reports there is about 4ft. of 6)iow. Attempts aro still being made to get provisions tirrougii to Lake Coleridge. To-day throughout Canterbury the weather was very mild with bright suushino. Under these conditions tho snow will 6oon disappear.

STOCK RELIEF TRAINS

Timaru, July 6. Special stock trains are being run on tho Fairlie branch line to bring sheep from tho enowed-in country. X warm nor'-wester, is blowing to-day, causing Bome thaw.

FROZEN TO DEATH INQUEST ON ME, GEO. STRINGER. At the inquest on the Ixxly of tho late Mr. George Stringer, a runholder at Olckaiko, held on Wednesday last, Thomas I'hilpot, a shepherd, stated that at 12.30 ou July 1 he and deceased and Frederick Ashton left to muster the End Block, the farthest point of which is about four miles from the homestead. All went together for two miles, and 'then took se.j;a rate beats, witness lowest, Ashton abwo him, and the deceased still higher up. At 4 p.m. witness concluded Ins werk, which wns the last time he saw the deceased alive. At S p.m. ho heard (lie deceased's dogs bark on the hill. Witness arrived home at 7 p.m., expc:ting tho others to follow at any lime. At 10 p.m. Mies Robertson and witness went out to look for them, and continued the eoarch without success until 12 run. The following morning, with a part, , of sixteen, witness searched for the deceased and assisted to bring his body humo. Witness'said he did not think it-news-sar.y to give an alarm, as tho night was fine and clear. They went out to savo sheep from the snow. ' Robinson Edward Baxter, a casual labourer, said he had assisted in .tho search.. At about 10 a.m. a do? was seen br one of the party, and Ashton was seen to stand up and fall down in tho snow. When they reached him he wns unconscious, and was sent, into 'the homestead. By tracing his footprints backwards they found deceased lying on a piece of level ground near a creek, in which was a water-hole. Deceased's mideiclothing was wet, and his Iwdy wa3 quite cold. He appeared to have been dead for some hours. Witness assisted in carrying the body to the household. Cecil Frederick Ashtou, a labourer employed by the deceased since February, slated that ou Monday last he went out with him to remove sheep from snow, which, was from ll!in. to 2ft. Bin. deep. At about 5 p.m. ho heard deceased call out with the object of ascertaining witness's whereabout*. It was getting dark, and witness went to meet him. Both proceeded down the creek together. Deceased appeared tired, and fell into the water several times. On the last, occasion witness pulled him out, and he lay 011 the ground. Deceased then told him to go for help, and adding , , "Good-bye," held out his hand. Witness remembered no more, until he. awoke at tho homestead.

The jury returned n verdict (hat deceased mot his death from exnosuro nnd cold whilst saving sheep out of the snovr.