PERISHED IN THE SNOW.

West Coast Times, Issue 315, 26 September 1866, Page 3

PERISHED IN THE SNOW.

We take the following sad account of the loss of three men in the Dome Ranges from the "Wakatip Mail" of the 12th instant : —

Three men in the pride of health and strength have fallen victims to the hard climate and heavy travelling of Otago. On Monday, the 20th of Augu-t, a party of miners named Charles Durant, Craig, and Sinner, left Switzer's to return to Nokomai, from which place they had been absent some little time. Intending to reach the Nokomai that night they provided themselves with no food except enough for a mid-day meal, and though the track over the Dome is difficult and dangerous no fears were entertained for them by their mates at Switzer's. On Monda}', the 3rd inst., George Moffat arrived at the Nokomai, and, having a message to deliver to the unfortunate men, inquired if they were at home. On hearing that they had not been'seen, he expressed his apprehension of their being lost, and the sad news was quickly spread. A search party was gathered immediately and started yesterday (the 4th) to ascertain where they had perished, for no hopes were entertained of finding them alive. Thef fog prevented their seeing anything until this morning (sth), when the body of Charles Durant

was found oh the top of the East Pome.

He had evidently thrown away his swag, - . which was piekod up about a mile from the- body, and then boldly and bravely fought his way against the blinding snow up the steep mountain path; beyond which lay the home where his wife and children were waiting his return ; but his strength and courage were unavailing — he fell beside a tuft of grass, where his sorrowing friends found him in his last long sleep. The other two are not yet discovered, but are supposed to have fallen sooner, and the Warden proceeds to the Dome tomorrow to hold the inquest Craig was also married, and leaves three children, and the families are both almost unprovided for. Such sad tragedies as these are enough to make those who sit beside warm hearths with their dear ones round them remember gratefully the blessings preserved to them, and pray fervently for all who travel by land or water to Him who alone can succour the wanderer* in their time of ne«d.

-Immediately upon these facts becoming known Mr Inspector Percy proceeded to the spot. All the bodies were found near one another, and were all following on tho right track, but the sudden snowstorm must have been a very severe one. An inquest has been held, and a verdict in accordance with the evidence returned. A subscription list has been started for the widows and families of the deceased men, and is being well filled.