HAZARDOUS TASK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27080, 14 May 1949, Page 6

HAZARDOUS TASK

RECOVERY OF BQDY MISSING DEER CULLER KILLED IN FALL FROM PRECIPICE Special Correspondent INVERCARGILL, May 13. From some of the roughest country in New Zealand and under hazardous conditions, the body of Brian Graay, aged 19, of Christchurch, a deer culler, killed in a fall from a 2000 ft precipice beyond Makarora will be recovered. About 12 men, including policemen, will be engaged for up to 10 days at the work. When Grady’s body was found on Friday of last week the Haast and BurKe rivers and other streams were in liood and there was snow on the ground. It was impossible then to consider bringing the body out, so it was covered wnh stones to keep the keas from it pending more favourable conditions. As soon as information is received in Invercargill from Wanaka, possibly as soon as to-morrow, that the rivers and ground conditions are suitable a party of carriers will make a way into bush from Wanaka. The party will go to Makarora, which will be used as a base and thence will travel by truck to the Haast Pass. From there packhorses will be taken to the mouth of the Burke river.

From that point the country to be covered is said to be the roughest in New Zealand. The men will need to walk through five miles of bush and mountain country and tracks will require to be made. The body is on a ledge near the bottom of the 2000 ft precipice. It will probably be lowered to the bottom and then a search will be made from the bottom for a suitable route to the top. It is thought that it will be up to 10 days before the body will be in Invercargill for an inquest and thereafter burial by the relatives. A danger will arise if changes occur in the weather and river conditions while the party is at work. It is emphasised by the Invercargill police that the body has not been buried and that there had never been any intention of abandoning it. Volunteers are known to be available to assist the police in the recovery, and only fit and experienced bushmen are to be included.

Grady was working from a hut about eight miles from Burke river with another deer culler. On April 30 the two became separated and although each fired shots, they could not link up. Grady’s companion returned for aid and a search was instituted, two policemen being sent from Invercargill, but the conditions were too dangerous to enable the body to be brought out at that time.