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Hokitika Guardian, 26 October 1932, Page 4

Once again Wave- the mountain ranges claimed a victim—for there is now practically no doubt that fate has overtaken the missing deer-stalker for whom two search parties have been out, and of whom no further trace was found by the three gentlemen who returned 1 to Hokitika on Monday evening. Regrettable as it undoubtedly is to record, it once more stands out as a warning, in letters of fiery red, of the absolute and utter futility of making lone ventures into the desolate, } primitive regions, of contending with the grim forces of- Nature, who is no [ respecter of persons, ’ and who will exact the fullest penalty possible from those who endeavour to pit- their strength against hers. The danger [of loss of life or limb is ever pre--1 sent, and is greatly magnified when the journey is undertaken unaccompanied. From time to time, this obvious fact is driven home with full force when we read of the tragic end Which lias overtaken those who Were inexperienced, insufficiently equipped; or injured and unable to summon, aid. Each year sees the list grow of those who have unsuccessfully tried conclusions with Nature’s forces, and one would think that this would have a sufficiently deterrent effect; upon others similarly inclined." But there are always gome who are ever prepared to set out heedless of conditions, and regardless of advice against the project. If such advice is disregarded, then the matter should not he, left in their hands, but steps should he taken to prevent the venture being carried out. For there is not only the one person to he taken into consideration. In the event of an accident, or nonappearance resulting in anxious inquiries, seavch parties are immediately organised—and the response to a call is spontaneous, hv men willing to assist in ’the relief of distress. At the same time those members of the party are exposed to the same risks, and at- times are required to, foresake care in some degree, according to the urgency of the search, with the result that the disregard of advice in the first place bias, on occasion, been responsible for fatality or injury to the searchers. There is also the question of the great amount of expense involved in a, search of any length. No new note has been struck horie, rather is it monotonous repetition of the fact that, to go out into the mountains unaccompanied, and unsufficiently , equipped, is plain madness, and courting disaster. To persist in, and carry out in their intention is, to say the least, extremely selfish, while it may easily be the 1 forerunner of dire results over which they alone have control.