A PLUCKY RESCUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3742, 15 January 1907, Page 3

A PLUCKY RESCUE.

Gisborne, Jan. 12

A plucky rescue from a serious predicament was effected at Muriwai on New Year’s Day. Two young men named Kdward Featon and Kdward Batten cycled out to the Cliffs to spend the holidays. Whilst there Batten decided to climb the cliff, but his companion fortunately remained on the beach below gathering shells. Having climbed a distance of over 150 ft, and with another 50ft or 40ft above him to reach the top, the young man found himself upon a narrow ledge, from which he could neither advance nor return. Calling to his friend below, he informed him of his danger, and Featon immediately proceeded to effect a rescue. Obtaining a rope and reins from settlers living in the neighbourhood, he scaled to the top of the cliff by a rough track. The line was lowered down, and, with some difficulty, Batten secured it fast round his body. For a short distance the haul up was easy, Batten assisting hiraseli up the cliff side, but, owing to a projecting ledge, the young man had to lie pulled up the last ten or fifteen feet through mid-air, dangling over a drop of two hundred teet to the rocks below. With a weight of 11 stone 7 pounds at the end of the rope, the task allotted Featon was no light one, and, but for his physical strength, a serious consequence would almost certainl3 r *have resulted. A settler named Burns gave valuable, assistance by taking in the slack rope, and guarding against it slipping back. At one time, when a flaw in the line, where it had been rubbing against the ledge of rocks, was discovered, the situation was most critical. When Batten reached the top both young men were utterly exhausted. Batten was exactly four hours in the dangerous position on the cliff.