On the Brink of Death.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7946, 9 October 1905, Page 4

On the Brink of Death.

.v DijMdtiN uksidknt's ri-.uu.-OUS KNI'KHII'.NCi:. (11l the Tomahawk side of Lawyer's i lead overlooking the TuM.ihawk reach (says the otago Daily Times) is a long si retell of sand drift lcach.ng down til' face of the dill some 25it to a point where the rocks jut out to the suii.'C" again. The tliop .loin these hi el ling crags to the seething surf below is luily BMt, and no one having the misfortune to fall over could hope lo survive. Just ncently a Uiiiiediu resident was traversing this side of the cliff and scaled himself on the brink of the sand i drift id view and enjoy ilie surging, roaring breakers below. Suddenly, and without warning, tin- sand sli|ped ; he slid with the mass, with his j back to the cliff, his fatal pio;.-s '-.eii.g arrested by the slenderest li. ncc—his fool coming in contact .vith a j'llling cleg 2."ifl I'.miW tl.c joint from which he sialic d lo slide. .1 is impossible to realise the feelings of anyone in such a peroo'is 'position, where the loss of nerve il a single false slep meant certain death ' Kor six houis he rested in painful suspense on Ibis brink c I death, afraid lo move. During that lime, at intiivals, lie saw four Mii.er, ui people proineiiading the hc.vii ,ii tin- distance. He iiiaua-.e.l to with.raw Irs handkerchief irom his p< ckei, aud gently waved it in the hope o. attracting allmiioii, hut without elucl. As night was eutuiug on bis anxiety became painlully acute, :is his position was becoming more c.ilical and alarming. In his desperation he felt thai he must make an effort lo extricate himself. After a time he managed lo get his pocket knife oul of bis pocket. His trouble I hen was to turn his body round lo face the cliff on such a narrow and dangerous pivot. Having succeeded in reversing his position with safely, he then, with the patience, care, and deliberation of a man whose life solely depends upon the success of his dangerous und.'ilakiiig, decided ic dig sand-steps. With his pocket knii'u he gradually, one after the other ring 2a deep saud-sleps, bis hope brightening as he slowl) ncait.l the lop ol Ihe sand cliff, hut his fears never left him till he I'oiind himself once again in a position of complete security. Once there, his nerves gave way, and he trembled voilently and nearly fainted, and his garments wei'ij sal uiated with perspiration. The shock to his nerves Was so great thai on reaching home at night he was const raintd lo t a ke lo his bid, lo which he was conlined for five days.

'lo .inyoiie familiar '.villi ihe spot rt'feired lo a e.iiiteinplali(';n of his experience nmsl induce nervous excitement. As ihere are numv pleas-nr.-seekers iiltraeled round lhal pari, ollhe coastline-Hi,, view from the dins being particul-irly attractive—«'c irusi this may serve as as warnm- oi the danger of velililring too '".'"' !'"' '"i" l ' "'" Ihese saml'dills, people have !„,„ l„s, along ~' T ""' '" "'•" 'lirn-linn-sup-»»s -I lo have committed suicide, but k. v":,';"", '"'*'■ Tl '"""'v Inns" Hits weie never recovered.