MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 126, 1 June 1927, Page 9

MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY

"PURE MISADVENTURE"

(By Ttltgraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day. The body of Mr. H. A. Holl, who lost his life while fording Mangaturuturu Stream' on the slopes of Mount Buaphcu on Friday afternoon, will be brought to Auckland.

Mr. J. A. Bartrum, Mr. Holla companion on the ill-fated tramp, returned to Auckland to-day. In spite of his all-night exposure to the elements: on the evening following the tragedy, a touch, of rheumatism is the only bad effect he suffered. "It was pure misadventure," said Mr. Bartrum, in referring to the tragedy. "Mr. Holl had so often pitted his knowledge and

strength against Nature and succeeded, and I suppose it is inevitable that Nature should sometimes win, as she has done, on this occasion." Mr. Bartrum -was about eight feet away from Mr. Holl when the latter, who was leading the pack horse, suddenly plunged forward and was swept down the. stream. Had Mr. Hall's hands not been numb as the result of the intense sold and rain, Mr. Bartrum thought it possible that his companion could have held on to the horse's bridle long enough for assistance to be given. The current was so swift and strong that Mr. Holl, who was carrying a comparatively' light swag of about 301b, was swept away in a flash. The accident occurred about midstream! at a point where the Mangaturuturu is about one and a half chains wide, and the water waisf high. Large rocks, varying in length from six inches to three and four feet, studded the flooded stream, and Mr. Bartrum thinks that contact with these rather than actual drowning caused Mr. Holl's .death.

(Message* marked "British Official Wireless," published In this Issue, are sent out by the Imperial Affaire Branch of the Prime i Minister's Dcvttrtmgnt ef tbe Mew CtiUnd lJao»«rnmentJ. .