The Clarence Valley Disaster.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 25, 16 June 1886, Page 2

The Clarence Valley Disaster.

4. — , The following details of the disaster to surveyors in the Upper Clarence Valley, .on the 9th inst., is supplied by the Wairau correspondent of the Ohristchurch Telegwiph, under date of the 11th inst. :— 3ty\ F. Stephenson Smith, District Surveyor, who arrived hero this 'afternoon, .states that when ho.and his party of seven left Stanley Yale they had only one foot of snow to contend with, and consequently thought that the worst part of their journey was over, but on getting down into the low country travelling 'became worse and worse, they being breast high in snow, and every foot of the road had to be fought through a blinding snow storm % The first of the party to show signs of distress was Mr. L. Paske (nephew of the Governor). Messrs. F. S. Smith and Begley. remained behind with him, rendering him .all the assistance in thoir power, whilst tho others § ceased 'forward in the, hope of reaching t. James Btataon,- and getting, </. Irejief party from there. Tbeir endefVYoWtfJ k>

keep life in him were without avail, and iio succumbed about 10 p.m. Then Mr. Mr. Hugh J. Thompson (of Eichmond) began to bhow beriooß signs of distress, and their whole endeavours were directed toward* keeping him alive and gotting him nearer to St. James. They were unable to carry" 5 ' bini, because of weakness ami fcho deptn of bnow and the darkness of tho night, nn.d it took theiQ, two hours to get «mi along one hundred yards, when they heard tho welcome coooe of the rolief party, which had come out from St. Jamos to tbeir assistance, but poor Thompson died beftfre they reached tho station. It was most providential that one of tho patty (Win. Mitchell, of Waiau), was able to forco his way through tho snow, and reach St. Jamos' station, afid mako known tho state of affairs thero, otherwise thero is not tho slightest doubt that fivo more lives would have been lost.