LIFE IN THE WILDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 11

LIFE IN THE WILDS.

TWO PLUCKY YOUTHS. KEEN SEARCH FOR GOLD. 7 " FRUGAL LIVING IN THE HILLS. Life on 2s 6d a week is not a prospect that would allure many, but that is exactly what two youths whom a party of tramperg came across in the mountainous regions in the north-western portion of Nelson are existing on. In fact, they are wresting a, living .from what must be the loneliest and most deserted part of New Zealand, says a correspondent of tho Christchurch Sun. " We were eating our evening meal in a piece of bush many miles from the nearest village, said one of the trampers in telling the story, " when there walked into our little camp two figures that looked more than anything like tho bushrangers that once infested this part of the country. They both had long black beards and their clothes were in tatters, and they told us that they had seen no other human beings for several weeks. " It appears that they we.re both in positions in the city, but the depression forced them out of jobs, and they decided that, rather than stay about the town, they would set out for the wilds in the hope of finding enough gold to keep them going. I take off my hat to them as two of the pluckiest young chaps I have ever come across, and they ar# a wonderful example to the thousands of fellows who are hanging about our cities to-day. Claim in Isolated Spot. " They have staked a small claim in the heart of the wildest and grimmest mountains you could find anywhere, and while they told us that their claim was not exactly an Ekwrado it yielded a few shillings a week—enough, with hard work, to supply their frugal wants." Every six weeks these two boys walk to Takaka, the nearest township, for supplies. It takes them three days solid marching over very steep bush and mountain country, and often enough rivers have to be waded. They buy about 15s worth of food—2s 6d worth for each week they will be back in tho wilds—and they do the three das's' trek back to their claim in the mountain with 701b. packs on their backs. .'>'' , Only Bare Necessities. Tho first week of their return is spent in kilting a supply of meat, mostly venison, which they treat in two ways: by drying or by smoking and salting. When treated by the latter method it is an excellent substitute for bacon, while the fat from the deer is used instead of butter. Luxuries like jam are dispensed with, and only the bare necessities are brought from Takaka—flour, rice, sugar, barley, oatmeal and tea. However, the menu, at least so far tat meat is concerned, is fairly extensive. Goat flesh is eaten, and eels are a popular portion of their fare. The oil from the eels has excellent lubricating and water-proofing qualities and is used on their boots—a most important precaution on this kind of country. " These men spend at least 10 months of the year in this desolate country, and in the v. inter the climate is particularly severe, with heavy rain and snow and biting winds. They may be unemployed in the true sense of the word, but they are a splendid type of young man and they are lightening their country's burden by making some attempt to maintain themselves. It's a pity that a lot of other young fellows have not the 'go' in them to do the same."