ANGLERS TRAPPED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1931, Page 7

ANGLERS TRAPPED

LAUNCH GOES ASHORE

THE WILDS OF TAUPO

MCED WITH STARVATION

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The .Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, 21th March

As a result of their launch being flriven ashore in a gale, two anglers, Mr. 'Robert Eyan, of Auckland, and Mr. W. 11. Ireland, of Grappenhall, Warringlou, England, were niavooned on the north-west corner of Lake Taupo on 3i'\l March. They were only rescued on Saturday evening, after a trying ordeal. Leaving Taupo on Ist March in Mr. Evan's launch, a camp was erected at Boat Harbour, in Maraekowhai Bay, on 3rd March. The anglers proceeded to Waihora Bay for the purpose of fishing the si roam mouth. That evening a heavy south-cast gale came up unexpectedly, and it was decided to bivouac ashore, the launch being anchored in the shelter of the eastern cliffs. At about 2 o'clock that .night the launch was driven ashore, broadside on, Ihc seats, flooring and contents being washed out. _ Having food for one meal only, Mr. Eyan, realising the isolation of the spot, decided that their best chance of succour was to make for Waihaha Bay, whore it was thought some Maoris were living who had a boat. VAIN SEARCH FOR A TRACK. On the morning of 4th March the two men made- their wny up the Waihora stream and on to the higher, land to the west, in an endeavour to locate an old track to Waihaha. After struggling through heavy fern and scrub country, with but a few scraps of dry bread to eat, they were forced to bivouac that night, being poorly equipped for a stay in the open. Fortunately they had matches and kindled a fire. Their exploration next day failed to locate any track, and lack ,o£ water, combined with their exertions, resulted in the men's tongues beginning to swell. They followed a dry gully leading toward Waihora stream, and that evening reached a swampy spot overlooking the precipitous . part of Waihora valley. Water was found oozing from a spot where.-wild pigs had been wallowing, and this relieved their sufferings. A NARROW ESCAPE. Once during that day Mr. Ireland had a narrow escape from death. The ground gave way beneath him, and he was precipitated over the edge of a, hole hidden by heavy fern. Mr. Eyan managed to reach him in time to haul him back to safety. Such holes are not uncommon in pumice country, and are often of considerable depth. The following day the men, after an arduous struggle, managed to reach the bed of the. Waihora stream, and make their way to the beach again. In one place, Mr. Ireland, who had diverged from Mr. Eyan's route to avoid a steep place, found himself bushed on the edge of a 30ft cliff, which he only managed to descend by sliding down a hanging vino. Mr. Ireland that evening caught a ■trout in the poorest condition, but in Hie absence of other food it was cooked and eaten. Other than this they caught nothing, there being no fish in the stream. ' "The next day," said Mr. ..Ireland, "we licked the bones of that 'slab,' bat later our hunger was relieved'somewhat by finding a few apples under an old apple tree. On Sunday morning, Bth March, the men wore neaT a semi-ruined hut, which I,hey were occupying, when a young wild boar approached. Fortunately Mr. Eyan had salvaged his shotgun from tile wreckage, and had four dry cartridges in his pocket. A lucky shot behind the shoulders brought the pig down. The pork was boiled in. some old tins, and kept the men going until 10th March, during which period a vain ■watch was' kept for boats. No game ■was secured after the pig, but a few blackberries -were found. ■ Fires were lighted to attract attention, but no boats were sighted until Saturday, 21st March, when one with an outboard engine passed. Two cart-, ridges expended as a signal failed to attract the attention of those on board.' Mr. Eyan then decided that their last hope of rescue was to make another attempt to reach Waihaha. or Mokai next day. "ANGELS FROM HEAVEN." That evening the boat that had passed earlier came into Waihora with ?>sr. H, Shearer; bush camp foreman of Mokai, and three friends on board. ."Those Bushmen," said Mr. Ireland, "were like angels from heaven."Finding out how things stood, the visitors immediately prepared a good meal for the two men.

Next morning Mr. Eyan and Mr. Ireland were taken, into the boat harbour, which they had loft nineteen days earlier. They were'brought to Taupo by launch after the engine of the wrecked launch had been salvaged.

Mr. Ireland arrived on a holiday visit in January on the lonic. He was in Havrkes Bay at the time of the earthquake. Mr. Eyan stated this morning that they had not left definite word in Taupo of the length of their proposed camping trip, and their friends there lad not worried, thinking they had probably proceeded to Tokaanu. Mr. Zane Grey camped at Waihora, which is a. good camping spot, but. is surrounded by the roughest type of country. It is twenty miles from Taupo by water.