DEER STALKER LOST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 255, 20 June 1932, Page 4

DEER STALKER LOST

NIGHT IN THE RAIN AUCKLAND SPORTSMAN LOSES HIS WAY AMONG THE WAIOTAPU HILLS. TRAGKED BY SEARCHERS. Onee again it has been Recessary to organise search: parties to rescue a deerstalker lost in the hush in the Rotorua district. On Saturday morning a party from Auckland consisting of MesSrs. G. J. E. 'Hassell," "A. N. Reid, G. Frankham, and G. Lishman struck into' the' country to" the right of Waiotapu with the object of- trying their luck for a few hours. They carried very little food (in fact only six cold sausages among the party) as they intended to return , after a brief hunt. At about 11.30 Gordon Hassell, who had gone down a ridge separating him from his companions, found that in the low-lying mist he had lost his way. For some hours he tfu'dged on over rough country in the endeavour to find his way back to the road, but fonnd he was only more completely losing his bearings. The day, however, had too far advanced to ePable him to go back on his tracks to try and locate his companions. ' Faced With this position he decided to fight his way onward until darkness cahxe, and then one or two bad tumbles convinced him that the only thing possible was to remain in the ferft nntil the return of daylight. Wet, Cold, and Hungry. Hassell, by this time was wet through and b-itterly cold. His share of the meagre supply of raLtions was one sausage and this had to supply his needs until he won out. All his matches were wet and it was impossible to light a fire. He was afraid to lie down for fear that he would be overcome by cold and exhaustion, so he spent the long, dreary hours of the wet night leaning on his gun. With the break of day he once more set out to find his way back to Waiotapu and about 9 o'cloik, after staggering through fern and swamp he won through to the main road. In the meantime his companions, failing to find any trace of Hassell, and getting no response to their signals, made their way back to Waiotapu and reported, the mishap fo the police. Steps were immediately taken to organise search parties. It Was impossible to do much in • the way of successful searching, in the dark, but, nevertheless, Messrs. Saunders and Lisbman set out on Saturday night. At 3.30 Mr. Hugh Galbraith (licensee of the Waiotapu Hotel) , Mr. G. Broomfield, and others set out to try and locate the missing man. Tracks Found. In the meantime Constable Shilton, obtaining the help of Messrs. C. Kereopa, W Penny, Mick Tenokoa, Gosling (Tourist Dept.), and others got to work. At 6 a.m. Constable Kelly, Messrs. Heath, Thompson, Berryman and others got under way

and a well-organised searcn proceeded. The party under Constable Shilton found Hassall's tracks and followed him out on the road, where it was ascertained that a passing motorist had taken the unfortunate wanderer back to the hotel, where he was given restoratives and tucked into bed. Concerted signals soon recalled the other searchers, who had. had anythTng but a pleasant experience. The police speak highly of the willing'and efficient assistance giveii hy all called upon for help. Last evening Hassell was none the worse for his adventure and returned with his party by motor to Auckland.