TRIALS OF A TOURING PARTY.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12501, 30 March 1909, Page 4

TRIALS OF A TOURING PARTY.

. — — — ♦— — An unfortunate shooting, accident occurred on Tuesday in the valley of the Jjglinton river, about 30 miles from Boat' Bay, on the eastern side of Lake Te Anau (says the "Otago Daily Times"). A touring party was crossing on the new track from the head of Lake Wakatipu to Gladehouse, at the head of Lake Te Anau. In the evening of the day mentidhed-one of the party, Mr L. Curtis, was unloading a revolver, when the 'firearm accidentally exploded, and the bullet lodged in his; left leg, about four, inches the. knee. It was then too dark for anything to.be done in the way of getting assistance that night, -but the first next morning Mr Birley (of Glenorchy)- left the camp and struck out ; , for Mr Gillard's homestead at Boat Bay, which he reached after a tramp of some 13 hours. Meantime, the othersAof -the . party - set aboutcarrying their wounded comrade towards Boat Bay. Immediately on the messenger's arrival. Mr Gillard set out with pack and riding horses, and the relief party struck the camp firC Of the carrying party about nine miles -on tlio -homestead side, of where the accident occurred. The tourists had toiled with tho sufferer over nine miles of very rough track— across rivers, through scrub, and over hills. At daybreak on. .Thursday: another start was made with the wounded man oh a pack-horso, and Boat Bay was reached just in, time to catch the down steamer to Lake Te Anau Hotel. On Friday, Mr Curtis wastaken by coach to Lumsden, where Dr Mcllrby attended him and ordered his removal to the /-Southland Hospital, where he was taken by; this evening's train. It is intended to endeavour to locate the bullet by nieahs of -X-rays.- Mr Curtis' s in jury v not haying reoeived medical attention, is naturally niuch worse than it, would: be under ordinary circumstances. ". " -~T*' " '-'-•''"■ ■■---■ 7