OKURU NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1927, Page 1

OKURU NEWS.

ANOTHER 'OVERLAND TREE. (From A Correspondent.) MAHITAHT, Jan. 4. Catherine, the daughter of Mr ami Mrs A. Cowan, Oknrn, developed symptoms suggesting appendicitis on the 2nd. The parents having recently lost their eldest hoy through the same cause, became alarmed and decided t>> carry the patient overland to within reach of medical aid. Volunteers came forward representing most of the male population of the district. A stretcher was constructed and the ndv inee members of the party left the first day. The main party! joined during the early hours of the following morning and secured an early start from the Hnast. Four men formed one stretcher party and were relieved each Io minutes, by the second part of four and eventually by a third party who joined a. little later in the morning. By this method the willing helpers covered the long rough tedious journey to Paringa. a distance of 40 miles. The journey included many rough creeks and rivers. Owing to the telegraph line being down in the Paringa River fresh blood to assist ill the carrying could not he secured. This experience, is by no means the first as this method lias had to he adopted on several previous occasions, but this trip is perhaps specially omslanding on account, of the limited ilumber of stretcher bearers. The patient was eventually received at Mahitahi liltle the worse for her rough Journey. From Ibis point the journey can bo completed by trap to the motor terminus. The party were hospitably received by Mrs Condon, who must be congratulated upon the menu and attention to such a large unexpected nartv arriving Into at night. . LATER. On Tuesday the patient was driven in a. trap to Woheka were they were kindly received by Mrs H. l .Williams and accommodated for the night,, proceeding next morning by special car to AVaiho, and thert coming on to Hokitika, arriving hero last, night. The patient has improved and at present there is no occasion for immediate alarm.

A NARROW ESCAPE. (From an occasional correspondent). There was a narrow escape from a drowning fatality at Okuru on ( hristmas Day. A party, of bathers assembled on the hanks of tlhe Turnbull river for an afternoon dip. including local residents and two English tourists Misses Watson and Knowles. A number swam across the river a distance of some 200 yards. On the return journey Miss Watson got into difficulties and suddenly disappeared. Mr William Breeze son of Mr .1. J. Breeze. of Hokitika, went to her assistance and seized her. The lady in her struggles struck him on the face, but he managed to hold on till two others (her companion, Miss Knowles, and Air .1. Cowan) came to his assistance. They bad a very hard struggle to reach tho shore, nearly 100 yards away, hut with the assistance of others at length reached safety. Air C. higgling assisting Breeze, who was in an exhausted condition when he readied shore, Miss Watson being unionscions. Restorative means were applied hut it was some time before the hidv showed signs ot lift*, hilt sllie ultimately recovered. Breeze had some difficulty in read ling the shore and was in a very exhausted condition. Though each of the men did their utmost, the lady companion, Afiss Knowles, who was a strong swimmer and was calm and collected throughout, was mainly instrumental in the saving of her companion. All were fairly exhausted when they reached the shore hut all recovered after a short time. Atiss AVatson was confined to her bed for several days as a result.