DIED IN THE SNOW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 25, 28 January 1913, Page 5

DIED IN THE SNOW.

MISS OXENHAM’S FATE. Regarding the distressing fatality which occurred on Sunday on Mount Egmont, by which a young lady, Miss Evelyn Oxenhara, aged 22 years, second daughter of Mr. Oliver Oxenham, of Fitzroy, lost hpr life, the ‘Herald’ states that a large party left New Plymouth on Saturday night, arriving at the radius line very late. Miss Oxenham was one of the number who walked from the line to the old house. They had no sleep at all on Saturd y night, and after partaking of light refreshments, set off about 5 o’clock in the morning for the climb. About ten undertook the task, and broke up into two parties. Miss Oxenham was accompanied by two young fellows. Ernest Locke, of Smart Road, and Harry Marfell, of Westown. Marfell left the other two some distance up on the scoria, and continuing alone successfully reached the summit. When returning, some fe\v hundred feet down, he passed the other two still on the upward climb. Miss Oxenhara lemarked to Marfell that she did not know how she was to get back, as she felt very exhausted. This was about ten minutes past eleven o’clock. Evidently Miss Oxenham and Locke"'reached the top, and when they were there it commenced to snow rather leavi’y. Thinking he had lost the track, Lc cke advised his companion to rest under a rock on the fourth ridge leading from the crater, while he went in search of the lost track. Not being successful, ho returned, as he supposed, to where he had left her, 1 ut, in the fog he evidently got further astray. Locke was found in an exhausted and distracted condition by other members of the party some two hours later near Humphries Castle, at about the 5000 feet level. They helped him back to the house, where he was unable to give any connected account of what had happened. On being informed the manager (Mr. J. P. Murphy) questioned Locke, and gathering that the young lady had been left near the summit, set out alone in search., He kept a sharp look out all the way [ up, and made an exhaustive search of | the crater, cooeeing at interv ds, but receiving no response. He then returned to the house, reaching there about ten o’clock. Locke by this time had sufficiently' recovered to give iron exact particulars as to where he had left Miss Oxenham, and another party was organised by Mr, Murohy, winch Irffi the house about five o’clock this morning. Going straight to the spot indicate'! by Locke, they found the Ixdy ef the unfortunate girl, who had evidently succumbed to the exposure which she had undergone during the night.