PIG-HUNTER KILLED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 27, 26 October 1937, Page 6

PIG-HUNTER KILLED

-Press Association.)

Fall of 50 Feet Into GuIIy TARANAKI TRAGEDY

(B? Telecranh-

NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. Losing his footing on a rain-soaked surface Frank Martinelli, a single mau, aged 29, of Wellington, fell 500 feet to his death near Matau, Eastern Taranoki, yesterday. He was engaged in a pig hunt when the accident oceurred. Mr Martinelli gave chase to a pig which the dogs wero pursuing in a gully. Rain was falling heaviiy and the ground was dangerously slippery. Makingi. his way down the face of the cliff he lost his foothald and fell. When his companions, who were about 100 yards away, reached the bottom of the cliff they found that Mr Martinelli 's skull was badly fractured. He had probably died instantly. Mr E. McCoard, one of his companions, set out for assistance and returned about 4.30 p.m. with Mr N. Jensen and his two hrothers, Constahle Hughes arriving from Stratford later. Three and a half hours were required to carry the body tbrough several miles of rough bush country to Matau. Mr Martinelli was employed by the P. and T. Department and liyed at 70 Marjoribanks street, Wellington. He was a weil-known violinist and had taken an active interest in musical societies.- He had made a number of pig-hunting trips to Taranaki. In 1916 Mr MaTtinelli's father, Mr F. Martinelli, was drowned in Wellington harhour while attempting to save his son Frank from a similar fate.