PROSPECTOR SAFE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1931, Page 2

PROSPECTOR SAFE

SNOWBOUND IN THE NELSON HIGHLANDS. TAPAWERA, September 21. Air A. D. Bro-mm'ejl, of Tui, who has been missing since- June 18 and was given up lor lost while out prospering, when lie returned home unexpectedly late en Friday night had a terribi. story to tell of privations suffered when, snowbound in his camp in tiie high mountains and badly frostbitten, ho ran out of both food and fuel.

In an interview, Air Bio-mmed said that he had always been interested in tiie natural history and the mineral prospects of the Mount Arthur territory, He left on April 20 on m prospecting tour o, the ranges, w.is aDsciit two weeks, and located a thivty-two-|oot reef of promising quartz. Hq, returned and forwarded samples to the Government Analyst, whose examination proved satisfactory. Mr Bronimell set out again for his reef on June 18, carrying Oblh or provisions, ail axe and a rifle. He arrived at his base, pitched his tent in a cave, collected firewood and then began prospecting.

Falls of Snow, Tiie weather was good for f f »ur days, hut then a heavy storm set in, accompanied by falls of snow. Forced to abandon prospecting, he sought refuge in his camp. Realising that if the storm continent! there was a possibility of supplies running short, Air Brommell rationed himself to one good meal a day, It was impossible to light a fire, so he stuck four candles in the floor and by their heat boiled water for his tea and cooked venison, After forty-four days of had weather his food was finished and he was foiced to forage for game. By the aid of his rifle lie shot a stag and numerous keas and managed to last out a further term.

During a foraging expedition lie was overtaken hy a blizzard, forced to spend a night in the open and was severely frostbitten. At sunrise he made a painful journey -to his camp, arriving quite exhausted. On account of frostbite he was laid up for two weeks and again supplies ran out. He shot a few keas which came around his camp, and finally his supply of ammunition failed.

Overcome by Weakness. He decided, in spite of his injuries, to seek civilisation and endeavoured to return via Nuggetty Creek. Weakness forced him to return to his camp and he spent a further week there, bad weather still prevailing. His only fod was boiled tea leaves and scraps of kea. When the weather improved he made another attempt to get out via the Mount Owen Pass, where he had a depot. After several hours of painful travelling he eventually reached his depot and rested for two days. Then he set out again and, after a difficult and painful journey of twelve houis, arrived in Tui last Friday at 11 p.m. Mr Brommell was very thin and haggard and his feet "ere frotbitten, but otherwise lie was well after his ninetythree days’ exposure. Unshaven for three months, he was forced to singe his beard while he was out. Setting Out Again. During Air Brommell’s isolation search parties endeavoured to find him, but were forced to give up on account of heavy snowstorms. They proposed searching for tiie body in the late spring.

Air Brommell was astounded that he was given up as lost and treats his experience as just part of the game. He is determined to set out again in the near future, as be is confident of a successful prospecting tour.