THE SNOWSTORM.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1918, Page 4

THE SNOWSTORM.

TWO MILLION SHEEP SNOW-. BOUND. HELP BY NATIONAL EFFICIENCY BOARD, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Advices received this afternoon from Lake Coleridge are to the effect that losses of stock in that region are gratifyingly small; in fact, almost nil. The probable number of sheep that are out in the snow in the affected districts ia somewhat difficult to estimate, but it is safe to say that from Marlborough down to the Waitaki river there *r« quite two million sheep that are more or less snowbound. This includes sheep, on low country, which can be moved with more or less difficulty. , The National Efficiency Commissioner for Canterbury (Mr. J. A. Frostick) hag taken up the question of rendering assistance to farmers whose stock have bees endangered or lost as a result of the recent snowstorm. Mr. Frostick stated that everything possible Trill be dime fry the National Efficiency Board and th« Government to save stock or, where th»t is impossible, to save the skins and woo). The various committees of advice have been called on for help, and tte Government haa promised to release from camp, or anywhere else, men accustojned to working in the snow. Mr, Frostick said that despite this it was certain tb* losses would be severe. ' i FROZEN TO DEATH. 7 Vrs INQUEST ON MR. GEO. STRINGER.

At the inquest on the half oi the lats Mr. George Stringer, a rtu&oldnr at Qt»kaike, held on Wednesday last, Thoiutf "hilpot, a shepherd, stated that at''l3.S9 on only 1 he and deceased and Frederi# Ash ton left to muster ti» £nL !Mt, the farthest point of which is abpßt four miles from the homestead. All went together for two miles, and tb*n took separate beats, witness low#»t, Ashton above him, and deceased Still Sigher up. At 4 p.m. witness concluded his work, which was the last time he saw the deceased alive. At 6 p.jp. he fcMrd the deceased's dog 6 bark on £b« bflj! Witness arrived home at 7 p.m., expecting the others to follow at any time. At 10 I p.m. Miss Robertson and witness went out to look for them, and continued the search without success until 12 p.m. The following morning, 'with a party of sixteen, witness searehedfor the deceased and assisted to taring his body home. Witness said he did not think it necessary to give an alarm, as the night was Ine and dear. Theg. v««nt out to save sheep from the snow. Robinson Edward Baxter, a casual laborer, said he had assisted in the search. At about 10 a.m. a <j#g was urn to stand up and /all <do*n in t&a mmr. When they reached Kim he was unconscious, and was sent to the homestead. By tracing his footprints backwards, they found deceased lying on a piece of level ground near a creek, in which wm a waterhole. Deceased's underclothing was wet, and his body was quite ool£ He appeared to hare been dead for som* hours. Witness assisted in carrying the body to the household. Cecil Frederick Asbton, a laborer, en*ployed by the deceased since February, stated that on Monday last he went out with bint to remove sheep from th» snow, which was from 12in to 2ft Ota deep. At about 5 p.m. be beard deceased <*ll out with the object of aseertainmg witness' whereabouts. It was getting dark, and witness was to meet him. Both proceeded down the creek together. 'Deceased appeared tired, and fell Into the water severe! times- On the last occasion, witness pulled him <ntt, and h# ! lay on the ground, Bece&sed » then told him to go for help, «®i addSag, "Good-bye," held out his hand. THtKegs remembered no mow until he awoke at the homestead. The jury returned a verdict that deceased met his death from exposure arid cold whilst saving sheep out of the snow.