WAR ON DEER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25797, 19 March 1945, Page 4

WAR ON DEER

RECORD OF SAFETY

ONE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN FOURTEEN YEARS The recent tragedy in which two young deerstalkers were drowned while attempting to cross the flooded Burke River near its confluence with the Haast was the only serious accident which has befallen any of the stalkers employed by the Department of Internal Affairs since the war on deer was commenced 14 years ago. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) stated recently that during those 14 years the department has employed hundreds of men. Indeed, in each of the two seasons just before the war started the total was 100. The operations have been conducted in every part of deer-infested country of the North, South, and Stewart Islands. About 2,000.000 rounds of ammunition have been fired and about half a million deer, thar, chamois, and goats—the great majority deer —have been shot.

A Strenuous Task

Mr Parry said he firmly believed that the sturdy, skilled stalkers have the most strenuous job in the whole Dominion. In spring they go out into the wilderness, and they may not come out until early winter. They have to carry heavy loads in places where a pack-horse could not find a footing. The department’s motto was: “Where deer can go, our men can go.” The tally of their treks included hundreds of crossings of rugged mountain ranges, thousands of river crossings, much trudging and clambering over icefields and glaciers. Usually their daily task is of long duration, for early morning and evening are the best times for striking. Often they are above the timber line while the daylight lasts, and make their way back to camp after dark over rough ground. It is impossible to operate from huts and established camps, as the men must keep moving over long distances. Their resting places are known as “ flying camps,” an alpine tent for each pair of men. The Minister said that the great record of freedom from serious accidents of the department’s men during a long period, in which many amateur stalkers have lost their lives in various ways; can be justifiably attributed to the thorough training of the men. A high standard of skill, particularly among the supervising officers, has been developed. The principle of “ safety first ” is well impressed. The department’s proceduce was adopted for the training of New Zealand soldiers in guerrilla warfare, and the results were highly praised by the army authorities. The Lost Stalkers Messrs J. Radcliffe, P. R. Smith and L. Wombwell came along a bank of the Burke River to a spot facing the Burke hut on the opposite side. There was a camp a little way up stream on their own side, but they evidently wished to reach the hut. A hunter in the hut heard a call and went out. When he -saw that they intended trying to cross the raging stream he waved to them to go back. They turned about, and he returned to the hut in the belief that they had decided not to attempt the dangerous crossing. Eventually Mr Wombwell staggered, exhausted, into the hut. He said that they had gone back to get a pole to help them in the fording, and that his mates had been swept away. Relatives and friends of the stalkers joined with the department’s men and the police in the search. The body of Mr Smith was found after some days, but no trace of that of Mr Redcliffe has been seen. There is now' no ground for hope that he will be found alive. Mr Parry expressed his deep regret at the death of men who were doing very important work for their country, and offered his warm sympathy to relatives and friends.