BANKERS' ORDEAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 4 May 1938, Page 16

BANKERS' ORDEAL

.FIVE DAYS MAEOONED -■;.-.. I ESCAPE BARRED BY FLOODS DASH TO JOIN LINE II , Vivid recollections of a business tour of New Zealand will long be retained by Mr. J. W. Hely-Hutchin-sori, a London director of the Union Bank of Australia, Limited, who, with the Napier manager of the bank, Mr. W. P. Newton, was isolated by floods and slips at a country farmhouse in Hawke's Bay for five days last week. Having arranged to join the Mariposa at Auckland on his return to England, Mr. Hely-Hutchinson made a determined and successful effort to escape from the stricken area on Friday, and reached the city yesterday after journeys on foot and by ferry, taxi and train.

As was earlier reported, Mr. HelyHutchinson and Mr. Newton were trapped by floods and slips between the Tangoio Gorge and Devil's Elbow when they were motoring from Napier to Gisborne on Sunday, April -24. Heavy rain was falling and a strong wind blowing, and the travellers, unable to find shelter, were forced to spend the night in their car. Fortunately they had a supply of food with them, so that they did not suffer any great inconvenience in that respect.

Welcome Hospitality

The next day they found the farm occupied by Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Sigvertson, at Kaiwaka. Cold and wet. they greatly appreciated the warm hospitality of their host and hostess, who provided them with dry clothing. and in every way tried to make them as comfortable as possible. For five days they stayed at the Sigvertson homestead, unable to communicate their safety to the outside world through the breaking of telegraphic communication, although they constantly heard radio inquiries as to their whereabouts.

Owing to the approach of the Mariposa's sailing date, an effort to reach Napier became more and more necessary. On Friday, therefore, Mr. Sigvertson drove them dowtrthe Tangoio road as far as a slip and they then set out on foot on an arduous 14-mile journey to the Eskdale River. Fortunately they were not troubled with their luggage, as their host had provided them'with a pack horse. Trying Journey Ends

For 11 miles they followed the road, but over the last three miles this was impossible, as thick silt was deposited everywhere to a considerable depth. A course by way of the beach was therefore taken. The Eskdale River bridge had been washed away, but the two bankers were able to cross it by means of an improvised ferry. They' travelled on to Napier by taxi and .Mr. ! Hely-Hutchinson left for Auckland by train on Saturday.