MAULED BY A TIGER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9127, 23 April 1908, Page 7

MAULED BY A TIGER.

DETAILS OP THE ACCIDENT. Brief mention of the accident 'which befel Mr Leo. G. D. Acland, the well-known Canterbury stationholder, was made in a cable message published on Saturday. Fuller particulars are contained in letters received by his friends in Canterbury, and published in the Christchurch ■ Mr Acland left New Zealand on a

trip to England last September, and was returning to New Zealand. * About a month ago he cabled to Mr H. M. Reeves, of Christchurch, from Calcutta, stating that he intended ' resuming his journey in 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 accidently 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, and received the following reply from Mr Trafford, Deputy-Conservator of Forests at Kulna : “Mr Acland 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 accident whilst out shooting, and has been very fortunate to escape with his life. He was very, anxious to shoot a tiger, and, with myself, went to the Gangetic delta. He succeeded in wounding a tiger, and in following it up the tiger mauled him so that he had to have his left arm ampu - tated. I have never met a man who took an accident so bravely as Mr Acland, and it was due to his pluck in standing up to, and firing at, a charging tiger that he received bis injury. He is now confined to bed in hospital, and will not be able to get out for*some time. Fortunately, I was able to get him to hospital by special train in eighteen hours after the accident. His right arm was also badly clawed, and has had to be ■cauterised, so that he cannot write himself at present. Tiger wounds are apt to he somewhat dangerous, Imt .the principal medical officer, Colonel Pilgrim, who has had a cgreat deal of experience in treating men for leopard and tiger wounds, considers him out of danger. I may add that Mr Acland was saved by >the bravery of a native khalaasi, who fired .at the tiger, within a .couple of :yards, as the tiger was dragging Mr Acland off into the .■jungle. My rifle was already discharged, so, personally, I was helpless to do anything. I think a ■month will see him out of the hospital, and on his way home. ’ ’ Mr Leo Acland took part in the Doer war, leaving New Zealand as ;a private in the Third (Rough ’■Riders) Contingent. It is probable that Mr Reeves, who is an intimate friend of Mr Acland, will go to Australia to meet him.