OKURU NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1921, Page 1

OKURU NOTES

MRS EGGELING’S DEATH

(Our own correspondent.)

Mrs Eggeling first complained about a pain in her side in the Tuesday, and had to go to bed on Wednesday and had a very bad night. Nurse Baker (happily in the neighborhood) was sent for on Thursday and after examining the patient reported the case serious. Mr Wild was asked to despatch a steamer, but as no reply was received, Mr Geo. Ferry was appealed to with the result that a steamer was to be dispatch’d

on Friday night sea permitting. Wild or Jolly’s price, I hear was to bo £75 for the trip. Only fancy making a lever of the urgent aid to demand £75. Through Mr Perry’s efForts the two doctors made a record, trip to Okuru, although out of practice for horse riding. I would like to express the kind appreciation on behalf of the settlers to the doctors (Drs. Baird and Buchanan) through the'“Guardian” for the quick and arduous journey they made to try and save life. Although the result was futile, it was no fault of theirs. The doctors efforts in this most trying hut sad case gives an assurance to us settlers that an effort would he made to render assistance if passible 'n a serious case like the last call, and although Okuru is far away, through the indifferent road communication, every effort would be made to render assistance to an urgent appeal. I would like also to refer to Air G. Perry’s kind assistance and reassuring wire (doing everything jxvssible) to Mr Eggeling, as this was the first good news received, find the next word was that the two doctors had undertaken the overland journey. Everybody tried to assist the Nolan Bros., in arranging the relay of horses from the Waiho to the Haast, where Mr D. Nolan with three horses in a gig met the doctors find covered the ten miles along the beach to Okuru in one hour 5 minutes including the crossing of the Okuru and Turnbull rivers, arriving at Kggeling’s home at 3 p.m. on the Sunday, 30 hours from Hokitika. The doctors rested an hour and the operation was successfully performed by 5.30 o’clock, Sister Baker having arranged everything in advance. Sister Baker’s professional services were recognised by the residents < f Okuru with a purse of sovereigns and a testimonial.

Much sympathy is expressed by the whole of the district to Mr Eggeling and family, to him, in losing his help mate and to the children for the loss of a loving and kind mother.

There is nothing frbsli to report here, everything going along the same as usual. Rush felling is now the order of the day in spite of the poor sto'4: market.

Messrs Nolan Bros., left- here < n May 9th. overland with a good line of heavy and medium weight horses, sired by that well-known stallion Lord Newton. Tn all probability they wiR reach Hokitika and be sold in the Hokitika salevards.