STRUGGLE WITH HURRICANE ON TARARUAS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 February 1936, Page 5

STRUGGLE WITH HURRICANE ON TARARUAS.

Palmerston Resident Succumbs in Bush.

Mr Wood, jnr., made one of a party of six wlio set out shortly after midday on Saturday on a week-end excursion to To Matawai hut on the slopes of the ranges behind Levin. His companions were Andrew Fuller, who acted as leader, Tom Arlidge, Kalph Dawick, Harold Kanisay and Albeit Waters, all of Palmerston North. On reaching Levin they made straight for the hut, which was reached jit about 8 p.m. During the night the storm broke with such force Hint they decided to return by the same way as they had gone into the hill>, but the Hooded state of the Ohau river prevented their doing this.

They then took the alternative route over Waiopehu, and .vhile progressing over Butcher's saddle had a terrifying experience. Trees uprooted hy the hurricane were falling all around them, and none expected to get out alive. The storm was accompanied by some of the severest cold ever felt on the hills. The track was completely obliterated, and at times they felt that all hope of getting out had vanished. They were soon feeling the strain of the heavy going and progress was lamentably slow.

Coming - out on to Twin Peak Waters and Wood were feeling 1 the effects of their experience and accentuated by the extreme cold required tlie assistance of other members of the party. Tlie wind at this point was terrific and the party had to craw] and drag Waters and Wood, who were now unable to walk. Waters was got down the track towards the Waiopehu Hut, by Arlidge and Ramsay, while Dawick and Fuller remained with Wood.

Arlidge went ahead with the idea of getting assistance from Levin, leaving at five o 'clock on Sunday afternoon. His torch gave out an hour after dark and he was forced to camp on the Waiopehu track. At daybreak yesterday morning he set off again for Levin, but found the going- very difficult owing to trees having fallen right over the ridge completely blocking the track which runs along the top. He left the ridge just above Palmer's camp, following a small stream down to the Makaretu stream and thence out to the Pipe Bridge where he arrived at live o'clock last evening, the journey which usually takes three hours occupying twelve. This fact gives sojne idea of the difficulties which faced the party. There was a hut at Waiopehu, but when the party reached the locality :io sign of it Avas to be seen except the four piles. The chimney could be seen 400 feet down a bank.

A relief party was immediately arranged and while preparations were being made, Fuller, Dawick, Ramsay and Waters arrived out at the bridge reaching there at 7.30 p.m. They had followed Arlidge's track and brought the sud news that Wood had succumbed at six o'clock the previous evening. This morning a party of seven experienced trampers consisting of Messrs. X. M. Thomson, R. Webb, J. TJrquhart, G. H. Kerslake, W. Ransom, A. Harvey and Constable Mcßae left Levin at three o'clock to bring back the body of "M>. Wood, but as it will be necessary to cut a track, it is expected (lie operation will take at least two and probably three days.

To-day at noon Messrs Doig and Olivccrona left for the scene by anotlier route which they -believe will be quicker, while a further party of four trampcrs from Palnierston North will leave Levin at 2 p.m.

Five Others Crawl Out Haggard and Exhausted.

On the wooded slopes of the Tararua ranges behind Levin on Sunday six young men fought for their lives, and while five were successful one succumbed to exposure and exhaustion and his body now lies where he breathed his last on the windswept top of Twin Peak, amidst bush giants that were felled as wheat before a reaper, by the hurricane that swept the district. The victim is Ralph Wood, optician, of Palmerston North, a married man, aged 29, residing in Manapouri Crescent, and a son of Mr and Mrs J. R. Wood, of Princess Street.