MOUNTAIN FATALITY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 345, 28 January 1937, Page 6

MOUNTAIN FATALITY

INQUEST CONCLUDED Verdict Of Accidental Death By Fall. “That the deceased, Philip Kenneth Harold Matthews, by accidentally falling over a precipice on Mount Egmont on the night of January 19 or early on the morning of January 20, received such serious injuries as to cause his death,” was the finding delivered by the Coroner, Mr. W. J.- Kennedy, J.P., at the adjourned inquest held at the Stratford Courthouse this afternoon concerning the death of the Wellington climber, Philip Matthews. The Coroner commented that the taking of risks was characteristic cf the British race, but the taking of risks without a satisfactory reason savoured of foolhardiness, and this was especially the case when attempting to climb Mount Egmont alone. The mountain was not to be played with; too many valuable lives had been lost already. A memorandum from Mr. Percy Thomson, member of the Egmont National Park Board, making certain proposals with the object of preventing similar happenings, was read by the Coroner.

The first witness was Richard Valentine, 12 years of age, residing with his mother at Dawson Falls. He said he accompanied Matthews to Syme Hut, and there Matthews left him with the intention of sleeping in the crater. Witness last saw him near the summit about 7 p.m. That night witness slept at the hut, and when Matthews did not return next day he went back to Dawson Falls. Matthews was her sister's son and was at Dawson Falls on holiday, said Barbara Valentine, lessee of the hostel. Neither of the boys expressed any intention of going to the summit. Matthews was an inexperienced climber. To the Coroner, witness stated that no one was allowed to go to the summit alone without due warning being given.

Alfred James Dick, carpenter, Stratford, described his finding of the body at the head of Manganui Gorge at 7.55 a.m. Matthews' head was seriously injured. His watch had stopped between 1.15 and 1.20. Charles Thompson, apprentice engineer, Stratford, who took part in the search, also gave evidence. Roderick Syme, agricultural instructor, Hawera, detailed the organisation of the search. “You have had a good deal of experience on the mountain?” asked the Coroner.

Witness replied that he was well experienced, and went on to state that the ice axe of the deceased was found at Mackay Rocks, about 400 or 500 feet from the summit. Matthews would have fallen fully 2000 feet. Most of the distance he would have been sliding on the ice. The only fall would be on to the rocks. In reply to a further question, Mr. Syme said that on frequent instructions and warnings had been given to Alpine Club members. Following the death of Mr. Lance Gibson a conference was held at Stratford. and one of the precautions decidei

upon was the erection of warning notices at the mountain houses. There was not constant employment for a guide at Dawson Falls, said Mr. Syme in reply to Sergeant Anniss, who asked whether witness thought there should be a guide. Since Christmas a guide was available *at the week-end. The absence of a guide iu the present instance, he continued, did not make any difference, as he could not have done more in giving a warning than Mrs. Valentine. It was dangerous at any time for a person to climb the mountain alone. In his opinion the accident happened in daylight, His torch was in his rucksack and his extra clothing was not worn. Apparently when Matthews reached the top he found that conditions were not favourable ,and he immediately proceeded to retrace his steps. He was on one of the recognised routes was not lost at the time that he slipped. Constable J. O’Donoghue, Kaponga, said he believed the deceased came to his death late on the night of January 19. He took part in the search and went to the Stratford mountain house to assist to bring down the body. The Coroner commended the splendid work of the Alpine Club members and other volunteer searchers. He expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. Mr. C. Rawson left by the express this morning on a holiday visit to Feilding. The resignation of Mr. B. M. Wilmshurst, assistant town clerk, who has been appointed town clerk at Upper Hutt .was- received at a special meeting of the Borough conn- 1 cil last night, when good wishes foi id the future were extended.