DEATH FROM STARVATION AND THIRST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 90, 28 February 1862, Page 1 (Supplement)

DEATH FROM STARVATION AND THIRST.

As tune wears on we hear aacutionaiinsHinces 01 vie sufferings' encountered by many wanderers in the bush, during tiie recent oppressively hot weather. But oi all the cases that have yet come under our notice, the following detail of acony far exceeds, the rest ; possibly because the effect of the deprivation of water and food were closely watched. A gentleman (Mr Wilson,) riiling in company with another, oil the hottest day of the hot weather, seeing something lying under a tree, about three miles from a hut, approached and found a poor old man, who, as it appeared to him was in the last agonies of death. His tongue was black and protruding, his eyes glazed, and his whole frame emaciated to the last degree. On rousiug him, he -was still conscious, but unable to answerany question without rumbling. Having fortunately some water witli them, they administered a small quantity with great caution, and in the course of time the poor wretch was sufficiently recovered toexplainthathe was travelling, and had endeavored to cross the plain without water or food. He had been, when found, four or five days without any sustenance, and had at length been compelled to lie down to die. After he was sufficiently recovered he was placed on one of the horses, and quietly led towards the hut, on c of his rescuers going an ahead to procure a bottle of soup or beef tea. When this arrived, a little was given, and gradually the poor fellow recovered his spirits and appeared even cheerful. He was incessant in his demand for water, but was persuaded to waj£ for some warm tea which was ready for him at the hut. He consented to this, and when witliiu about 100 yards of the end of his painful journey, just at the time it was supposed ho was safe, nature, strained to the last point, gave way, and the poor sufferer sank down and died. Our informant states that a more heart-rend-ing spectacle of human suffering was never witnessed, and we can quite realise the horror of the picture. The name of the deceased was not discovered ; and as the cause of death was so palpable, it was not considered necessary to hold au enquiry. The body, of course, was decently buried. AU that is wanting to make the narrative complete is the name of the station where this shocking occurrence took place. We very foolishly neglected to ascertain that point. — Pnxtnnil Turn's 7t,li Kfibrimrv.