A SETTLER ILL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1925, Page 2

A SETTLER ILL

CARRIED BY RESIDENTS. I'HOAI OK UR C TO MAHITAHI. A wonderful story of good comradeship worthy of the best records ot the old digger days comes from South Westland. fro in the district ot I least comes the store. There Mr Adam Cowan, son of Air and Mrs John Cowan, well-known southern settlers, was taken ill as the result of an old trouble in the head and after consultation with friends it was decided to bring the invalid to Hokitika for treatment. A start was made on .Monday afternoon from Okitru and Hiiast was reached that night. On Tuesday morning at 8 o’clock, the sufferer being in a stretcher, carried by lour men. commenced the long trek to Paringa which was readied at -10 o’clock that night. Those who have ridden along that long road will have an idea of the difficulty of the journey. There were 18 men on horseback accompanying the party and five minutes spells at carrying the stretcher were given. Air P. Nolan being time-keeper and it was a wonderful how the melt dropped rdf their horses at the call of time and relieved the heavers. Some kept behind rounding up the horses, and so the weary day passed slowly. Another relay of 18 men met the party on the way and carried on the good work. A slav was made for the night at a hut at Paringa, where 10 people had gathered, some rest of a nature being taken. Next morning it was found possible to nlace the sufferer on a horse on a mattress, with a ruler on behind to hold him and so the seven mile journey was made to Mahitahi. Here a trap was secured and the journey continued to Karaiigarua, where the sufferer was placed in a motor ear and the rest ol the journey was made to Hokitika, which was reached at 1.30 o’clock on Thursday morning, a distance of 100 miles being covered for tint day. Too milch credit cannot he paid to the settlers of ihe southern district, who so readily offered their services, and in spite of the hard work entailed, carried their man on the long journey in record time. The sufferer stood the journey with remarkable fortitude. On arrival at Hokitika lie received medical treatment. hut it has been considered advisable that a visit be made- to Christchurch for further attention and he leaves in the morning. Airs Cowan accompanied her husband during the trying journey, with ins father and mother, the latter joining the party at .Mahitahi. They cannot adequately express iheir very great appreciation ni the wonderful good work ol the settlers in their hour of need.