PIG-HUNTING TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 33

PIG-HUNTING TRAGEDY.

TRAMPER’S TERRIBLE ORDEAL.

DEATH OF MR CONSTABLE

(Photographs in This Issue.) GERALDINE, September 22. When Edward Johnston, aged 22, arrived at the residence of Mr S. Neutze. of the Tripp Settlement, shortly before 8 o'clock yesterday morning, he brought news of the tragic death of Mr George Constable, leader of a pig shooting party which had set out the day before. He told of a harrowing experience in the snow-covered back country, with a dying man. The deceased man was George Constable, aged 40 years, a married man, if Hilton, who leaves a widow and four children, and his companions were two young men—Messrs Edward Johnston, of Hilton, and Thomas Watts, of Christchurch.

In an interview, Mr Watts, a nephew of the deceased, stated that the party, who were camped in Neutze’s Gully, set off at 3 a.m.on Saturday morning on a pig shooting expedition to'the Blue Mountain. Beautiful weather favoured the progress of the trampers as they made their way over the barren hill faces at the back of the Wai hi Gorge,- and the best part of the day was spent in tin* strenuous activity of hunting the wild pigs. The weight of the capture was very considerable, and the men found it was no easy task, even for strong, men, to drag heavy pigs over the steep slopes and rocky gullies at the outskirts of Neutze’s and Nolan’s runs. Although they struggled gamely one by one they found it necessary to . , leave behind their kill. Air Matts injured his leg, and a short cut was attempted. The familiar landmark* of the outbound track were no longer to be seen, and they were hopelessly lost Hi the fog and the darkness, which had overtaken them. They struggled on until it commenced to teem with rain, and they then attempted to set up a temporary camp for the night. It was bitterly cold, and their matches were too wet to strike. Drenched to the skin, freezing with'the cold, and with not a dry stitch of clothing they decided it was better to tramp on. It had been snowing for some time and al] were feeling the strain of the heavy going over the desolate country, in which they could only see a few yards ahead of_ them. Mr Constable expressed the opinion that he could not carry on much further, and numbed of limb the two younger men decided to seek the bare shelter of some shrubs till daybreak. They had not anticipated the inclement weather, and were attired in light tramping dothes only, this fact adding to their miserable condition.

At 9.30 on Saturday night Mr Constable collapsed, and his companions sat with him until 5 o’clock on Sunday morning, when he passed aw-ay. After feeling the pulse of the deceased companion they were leaving behind, and satisfied they could do nothing moore, the two men set off.

Mr Watts’s leg became painful, and Mr Johnston decided to push on. A telephone message was sent to Constable Callanan, who is stationed at Geraldine, some 10 miles away. The constable immediately organised a search, and stretcher parties to recover the body of the deceased man. A. band of willing helpers was soon organised, and one party, led by Mr Johnston, set out from Mr S. Neutze’s home, and another from the home of Air R. P. Nolan. Waihi Gorge. In the meantime Air Matts, whose progress had been slow owing to his leg giving him trouble, managed to reach Air Neutze’s home, where he was given a hot bath. The, search party which left Air J. P. Nolan’s was lent three pack horses, and, after some hours of heavy going in desolate, rain-swept country, the scene of th° tragedy was reached, and the deceased man was found lying beneath a cliff on the Ben Hope Hills, on the outskirts of Air Nolan’s property. The body was carried by stretcher for nearly two miles, and then transferred to the pack horses and brought to the Nolan’s homestead. Mr Watts attributed Air Constable’s death to strain and exhaustion caused by the heavy weight of the kill and the fog. which was responsible for the men losing their way.

At the inquest the evidence of the deceased’s companions showed that a terrible night had been spent with Mr Constable, who had become delirious, and had had to be held down. When his companions became exhausted they’ finally tied hirf to a tree.

The coroner’s verdict was that Air Constable died of heart failure due to the effects of exposure and violent exertion on the heart, which had already beer weakened by previous disease.