FIGHT WITH A LION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 24 March 1922, Page 8

FIGHT WITH A LION.

DYING MAN'S LAST EFFORT

} Records of big game hunting do nol L: contain a more stirring instance of de 5 votion than the story of the death o; i JDr Deridder, .which has just taken placi ■ as the result of malaria in the Africai > jungle. During the war Dr Deridder renderer • yeoman service in caring for Belgian; who, after deportation to and repatria tion from Germany, were broken ii health, and often without medical at tention of which they were greatly ii need. Dr Derrider went out to Ruanda in the heart of the African jungle, t< give the benefit of his expert knowledg* to a Sultan whose eyesight was failing ' During the trip, on which he was accom panied by his wife and child, the docto did a considerable amount of big gam< hunting, his "bags" including elephants buifalo, leopards, lions, and antelopes In all these adventures he was seconde< ably by his wife, who was an xcellen shot. The doctor was struck down by ma laria and was lying one day in his tent being then but three days' march fron the main porterage through the jungle The previous evening the party had beei surprised by a full grown lion, whicl came prowling round their little camp and which Mrs Derrider wounded. Th next day she went out to finish off thi beast accompanied by a native servant ricking up the lion's trail she spoor e< him to the thicket where he was lyinj licking his wounds. Before she raised hei j rifle, however, the brute crouched ant sprang. Leaping on to the native ser vant> th» lion killed him with a grii on the throat, and then, wheelinc swiftly round, sprang upon the womar j and knocked her down lacerating hei shouldtr. ■ ' Whilst this was taking place Dr De ndder, lying ill in his tent, became alarmed at the prolonged absence of his wife and, despite his suffering and weakness, got up and shivering with the tever, started out in search of her Picking up the trail, he reached the spoi in time to despatch the lion before the worst could happen to his wife. He cared for her injuries and returned with her to the camp; but he died a few days later, the sudden exposure and shock incidental to this last shooting expedition ha\mg been the means of hastening his end. . .. c vi? One, ? f J his l letters home, 3>r Dendder related that once, whilst on the i rs? k' °f IIODS > he and his wife came up I with a huge male, which they wounded ' ltiming, the lion crouched and prepared ! to spring, at the same time opening his huge jaws to roar. As he rose, still with mouth open, Dr Deridder. taking cool j and careful aim sent a bullet down the lion s throat, killing him on the spot. With c splendid record of 47 years ot successful service in the cause of educnhon, Mr W. Adams, headmaster or the Mangaweka State School, has | retired from active duty, and his resignation, which came before the Wanganui Education Board last evening occasioned a well-merited tribute in the form of a resolution thanking I him for his long service (says the Chronicle). In retiring on superannuation Mr Adams leaves behind him a remarkable record of good service. He was recognised as an expert in the educational world, and was in turn headmaster of the Turakina, Patea, Foxton and Mangaweka Schools. Mr Adams could claim to fee a pioneer of educa- ! tion hi New Zealand in agriculture and \ nature study. He was Queen's prize-1 man in agriculture in 1880, and won! the first travelling scholarship In' nature study m 1905. He was the ! author of informative books, and for; seven jeans he had charge of the Wa-1 nganui Education Board's Saturday1 SSS? clasß.es I J or teachers in school methods,_ agriculture science, drawing ! and singing Mr Adams was a promin^ ent rifle shot, and m the old volunteer days was captain of the Turakina Rifle Club, captain of the Patea Rifle Volunteers, and major of the third Wanga- : nui Battalion of Cadeti S