THE ALPINE TRAGEDY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1914, Page 5

THE ALPINE TRAGEDY.

RECOVERING THE BODY. [Per Press Association. I Christelmrch, February 26. The Lion. R. H. Rhodes received the following telegram from Mr Wilson at' 1 p.m.:—''Rescue party had a very hard time, and are resting today at Ball Hutt, where Chief Guide Graham returns to-night with Mr Friend and three Austrian climbers, who have volunteered their assistance. The country was so rough and broken that it was only possible to get the body out by each taking turns to carry it, a few steps at a time. The body was fearfully mutilated, and barely recognisable. The party had almost decided to abandon the search, when Graham saw a boot sticking out of the snow, ana- so discovered the body. They then trier! hard to find the others. The avalanche appeared to save been an enormous one. Practically the whole ice face fell directly on to the men. The actual spot has always heen looked upon as quite safe, though there was a dangerous one further en. This is the first fatal accident in the Southern Alps, which have been climbed for many years. The accident was in no way due to carelessness. It was simply a calamity of Nature. Wilson has arranged with the coroner and police for the holding of the inquest. ■ Wilson will leave the Hermitage to-morrc,v, and will arrive in Wellington on Sunday." The substance of these, telegrams has been transmitted by cable to the High Commissioner by the Government, with the request that he inform the Alpine Club, of which the late Mr S. L. King was a prominent member, and also that he convey the sympathy of the New Zealand Government to the late Mr King's relatives.