DESTRUCTIVE AVALANCHES

Temuka Leader, Issue 1708, 8 March 1888, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE AVALANCHES

Berne, March 5,

There have been some heavy avalanches in the Alps during the past few days. It is reported that several villages have been overwhelmed, and that 200 persons have been killed. No less of life is reported. Home, March 5.

Information has bepn received here that an avalanche had engulphed the hospioo at the Great Saint Bernard,

Tlis famous hospice of Great St. Bernard was fouuded in 962 by Bernard de Menlhen, h Savoyard nobleman,' for the benefit of pilgrims to Rome, and ib largely taken advantage of by travellers ncross the Ape It i» »aid to be the highest habitation in Europe, and was inhabited by ten or twelve St. Augustine monks, who, with tbeir noble doga of St. Bernard breed, hare rescued many hundred travellers from death by exposure to cold or burial in the snow, which in winter ranges from 10ft to 40ft in depth. The monks enter on their humane mission at eightee", but are frequently compelled to leave with mined health, owing to the hardships of their position before (hey have completed the term of their vow, fifteen years. The hospice was a substantial stone building, capable of affording Bleeping accommodation to 70 or 80 truyellers, «nd shelter to about 300. A« many ns 500 or 600 persons have taken advantage of the monks' hospitality in one day, and it is estimated that 8000 or 9000 IravelUrs are .annually indebted their kindness. Onei famous St. Bernard dog called B nrr,' in the earlier part of the present century, was iostrumentdl in saving the livrß of no fewer than forty human beings. His most memorable achievement was the rescuo of a little boy, whose mother had been killed hy an avalanche, and whom he induced to mount his back, ani so carried him safe to the hospice. The monks are maiily supported by voluntary gifts, but drawn a small amount from independentproperty.—Press.