MAROONED IN WILDS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1931, Page 6

MAROONED IN WILDS

ANGLERS’ ADVENTURE

EIGHTEEN DAYS’ ORDEAL.

LAUNCH DRIVEN ASHORE.

AUCKLAND, March 24

As a result of their launch being driven ashore in a gale, two anglers, Mr Robert Ryan, of Auckland, and Mr W. H. Ireland, of Grappenhall, Warrington, England, were marooned on the north-west corner of Lake Taupo on March 3. They were only rescued on Saturday evening after a trying ordeal.

Leaving Taupo on March 1 in Mr Ryan’s launch, a camp wa. s erected at Boat Harbour, in Maraekowhai Bay, on March 3. The angldrs proceeded to Waihora Bay for the purpose of fishing the stream month. That evening a heavy south-east gale came up unexpectedly, and it was decided to bivouac ashore, the launch being anchored in the shelter of the eastern cliffs. At about two o’clock that night the lau'neh was driven ashore, broadside on, the seats, flooring and contents being washed out. Shortage of Food. Having food for one meal only Mr Ryan, realising the isolation of the spot, decided that their best chance of succour was to make for Waihaha Bay, where it was- thought some Maoris were living who had a boat. On tire morning of March 4 the two -men made their way up the Waihora stream and on to the higher land to the west in an endeavour to locate an old track to Waihaha.

After struggling through heavy fern and scrub country with but a few scraps of dry bread to eat, they were forced to bivouac that night, being poorly equipped for a stay in the open. Fortunately they had matches and kindled a fire.

Their exploration next day failed to locate any track, and lack of water, combined with their exertions, resulted in the men’s tongues beginning to swell. They followed a dry gully leading toward Waihora stream, and that evening reached a swampy spot overlooking the precipitous part of Waihora valley. Water was found oozing from a spot where wild "pigs had been wallowing, and this relieved their sufferings. Once during that clay Mr Ireland had a narrow escape from death. The ground gave way beneath him and lie was precipitated over the edge of a hole hidden by heavy fern. Mr Ryan managed to reach him in time to haul him -•back- jto ‘safety. Suclr holes are not uncommon in pumice country, and are often of considerable depth.

Back to the Beach

.The following day the men, after an arduous struggle; managed to reach the bed of tbe Waihora stream, and make their waoy to the beach again. In one place, Mr Ireland, who had diverged from , Air .Ryan’s route to avoid a steep "place, - found himself -bu'shed' on- the' edge of" a 30ft cliff, which he only managed to descend by sliding down a hanging vine. Mr Ireland that evening caught a trout in the poorest condition, hut in the absence of food it was cooked and eaten. Other than this they caught nothing, there being no fish in the stream. “The next day,” said Mr Ireland, “we licked the bones of that ‘slab.’ j but later our hunger was relieved ! somewhat by finding a few apples under an old apple tree.’” A Lucky Shot. j

On Sunday morning, "March “8", the men were near a semi-ruined hut, which they were occupying, when a young wild hoar approached. Fortunately Mr Ryan had salvaged his shot gun from the wreckage, and had four dry cartridges in hi s pocket. A lucky shot behind the shoulders brought

the pig down. The pork was boiled in some .old tins, and kept the men going until March 19, during which period a vain watch was kept for boats.

No game was secured after the pig, but a few blackberries were found. Fires were lighted to attract attention, hut no boats were sighted until Saturday, March 21, when one with an outboard engine passed. Two cartridges expended as a signal failed to attract the attention of those on hoard.

Air R.yan then decided that their last hope of rescue was to make another attempt to reach Waihaha or Mokai next day.

That evening the boat that had passed earlier came into Waihora with Mr H. Shearer, hush camp foreman of Mokai, and three friends on hoard. “Those bush men,” said Mr Ireland, “were like angels from Heaven.” “Finding out how things stood, the visitors immediately prepared a good meal for the two men.

Next morning Air Ryan and Air Treland were taken into the boat harbour, which they had left nineteen days earlier. They were brought to Taupo by launch after the engine of the wrecked launch had been salvaged. Air Ireland arrived on a holiday visit in January on the Tonic. He was in Hawke’s Bay at the time of the earthquake. Air Rvan stated this morning that they had not left definite word in Taupo of the'length of their proposed camping trip, and their friends there had not worried, thinking they had probably proceeded to Tokaami. Mr Zane Grey camped at Waihora. which is a good camping spot, hut is siirrounded by the roughest type of | country. Tt is twenty miles from lan- j po by water.