MAULED BY A TIGER

Otago Witness, Issue 2823, 22 April 1908, Page 19

MAULED BY A TIGER

A NEW ZEALANDER WOUNDED

CALCUTTA, April 17. Mr Leopold Acland (a New Zealand land-owner) was wounded by a tiger m the Khalna district. The tiger, which bad disappeared m the jungle, suddenly reappeared, and fell on Acland. Another member of the party shot and killed the tiger while it was dragging Acland by the arm into the jungle. Acland's arm had to be amputated.

The above cablegram is very belated, a3 the following account of the accident appeared m Thursday's Christchurch Press : "It has fallen to the fate of few men to have experienced so close a call as that which has befallen Mr Leo. G. D. Acland, the well-known Canterbury station-holder. According to a letter received yesterday b^ Mr H. M. Reeves, of this city, Mr Acland, whilst waiting at Calcutta to connect with a steamer for Australia, went on a tigershooting expedition, during which he was attacked by a tiger, which he had shot and wounded, and was being carried off by the animal when a native servant shot the tiger dead. According to latest information, he was progressing favourably towards recovery. Mr Acland left New Zoaland on a tirp to England last September, and wa« returning to New Zealand. About a, month ago he cabled Mr Reeves from Calcutta that he intended resuming his journey m a week. At the expiry of that period he again cabled : ' Missed steamer ; accident.' This message did not cause any grave concern, as it was interpreted to mean that Mr Acland had accidentally missed his steamer, but the receipt a week later of a cable message, evidently not sent by Mr Acland, to the effect : ' Acland out of danger,' gave rise to decided feelings of uneasiness. Mr Reeves cabled to Calcutta, but probably owing to the trouble m the Indian telegraphic service got no further information until the receipt of a letter from Mr Trafford. Deputy-Conservator of Forests at Khulna, a place which is an 18 hours' train journey from Calcutta. A letter received a week ago from Mr Acland stated that he was killing time at Calcutta, waiting for his steamer, and that he intended going up the Ganges for a week. Evidently Mr Trafford arranged a shooting party, which included Mr Acland. The remainder of the narrative is best told m the words of Mr Trafford'e letter, which is dated Calcutta, March 14: 'Mr Aoland has asked me to write to let you know that probably he will not be able to leave Calcutta for New Zealand till next month. He has met with an acaident whilst out shooting, and has been very fortunate to escape wtih his life. Ho was very anxious shcot a tiger, and, with myself, went to the Gangetie delta. He succeeded m wounding a tiger, and m following it up the tiger mauled him so that he had to have his left arm amputated. I have never met a man who took an accident so bravely as Mr Acland, and it was due to his pluck m standing up to, and firing at, a charging tiger that he received his injury. He is now confined to bed m hospital, and will not be able to fiutt out for some time. Fortunately, I was

able to get him to hospital by special train m 18 hours after the accident. His right hand was also badly clawed, and has had to be cauterised, so that he cannot write himself at present. Tiger wounds are apt to be somewhat dangerous, but the principal medical officer, Colonel Pilgrim, who has had a great deal of experience m treating men for leopard and tiger wounds, considers him out of all clanger. I may add that Mr Acland was saved by the bravery of a native khalassi, who fired at tlie tiger, within a couple of yards, as the tiger was dragging Mr Aciand off into the jungle. My rifle was already discharged, so, personally, L was helpless to do anything. I think a month will see him out of the hospital and on his way home.' Mr Acland participated m the Boer War, leaving New Zealand as a private m the Third (Rough Riders) Contingent. It is probable that Mr Reeves, who is an intimate friend of Mr Acland's, will go to Australia to meet him."