THE TARARUA TRAGEDY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11255, 6 July 1922, Page 7

THE TARARUA TRAGEDY

BOLLONS GIVES EVIDENCE VAIN SEARCH FOR HELP ON FOG-COVERED MOUNTAIN. RESCUE PARTY COMMENDED. At the Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, before the coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M.), the inquest was concluded concerning the death of Edmund James Kime, who lost his life through exposure on the Tararua ranges. BOLLONS’S TRAGIC RECITAL. HOW KIME GAVE! UP. Allan A. Bollons stated that he had accompanied the deceased on a tramping expedition across the Tararuas. All went well until Friday, June 9tli, when they camped at the Alpha hut. The following morning, at about 6.40 a.m., they left the hut, intending to nialrfe their way to Otaki. Witness was carrying blankets, cooking utensils, and haversack, while Kime had some blankets and food. They found the mist, to bo very heavy, -and as they were not sure of their ground, they decided to return to the Alpha hut. Kime had showed signs of fatigue, and had reduced his pack. About 12.30, becoming more fatigued, deceased had entreated wdtness to go on ahead and attempt to get help, which the latter did, after much persuasion. Witness went down a ridge, which he thought was part of the track, and he had walked for about an hour and a half before he discovered his mistake. Not being sure of hie way, he had decided to go down to the creek, where he had spent Saturday and Sunday nights. On Monday he found the track, and reached Alpha hut in the afternoon. There he spent the night, and on the following morning proceeded to the Tauherenikau hut, where he had been found by the relief party. He had left his pack at the creek.

THE FINDING. OF BOLLONS AND KIME. *

Frederick . William Vosseler said that, on June 13th, ho had organised a party to search for Kime and Bolloiis. Before commencing the search, they had split up into two sections, one of which was to work from the Otaki side and the other from the Wairarapa elope. Witness had accompanied the Wairarapa party, which left Woodside at about 7 o’clock, and arrived at the Tauherenikau hut at about 11.30. In the hut Bollons had- been found, lying exhausted in a bunk. They had recommenced the search at about 1.30, and had found tho deceased, who was about three hours’ Walk from the Alpha hut. He was alive, and had to be carried to the hut, where, in spite of all that could be done, he had died at about 7 o’clock on the Thursday. Constable Gregor took charge of the body and brought it to Wellington on Friday, Deceased’s first words were to know if Bollons had been found, and he tried to make it clear that the latter had left him at hi 3 request, and after much persuasion. Witness was of the opinion that a party making the Tararua trip should consist of three, or experienced and well-equipped persons. The number of the signposts should he increased, and another hut should be built between Mount Hector and Mount Field.

THE VERDICT. CORONER ADDS RIDER. The finding of the coroner was that Kime had died at Alpha hut, Mount Hector, through exhaustion and exposure.

The coroner added a rider that tho number of the signposts on the Tararuas should be increased, and that a hut should be built at the place suggested by Mr Vosseler. Mr Hunt continued that he would be neglecting his duty if he closed the inquiry without first commending Mr Vosseler and< party on their sterling efforts. In this, however, he oould only endorse the remarks which had been previously made by various other bodies.