HEROISM OF MOUNTAINEERS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1930, Page 12

HEROISM OF MOUNTAINEERS

KECOVEBY OF MB. GIBSON’S BODY Those who have never faced a wintry mountain storm may find it impossible to realise the bitterness of man’s fight with blizzard, but all will admit the sheer heroism of men who face deathly chill for the sake of othera. Something of hi& own and his family’s admiration for the men who retrieved Mr. Lance Gibson's body from the icy grip of Egmont last* week was expressed yesterday by Mr. Walter H. Humphrey, Stratford, father-in-law of the mountaineer who gave his life during the rescue of an injured man. It was a formidable task the relief parties accomplished. Mr. Gibson’s body had to be recovered from a remote icy gorge and praiseworthy indeed was the manner in which the men overcame the difficulties for the sake of the relatives. The rocky gorge was vanquished and a trail was hacked through the bush across other precipitous gullies before the hostel was reached. Mr. Humphrey expresses his sincere thanks to the many men involved and to those people who organised and cared for the physical wants of the parties. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the chairman said the gross profits of the meeting had been £2578, which was an excellent advertisement for the club, the town and the district, while the net profit of £1023 was very gratifying considering the trying year and the financial tightness. The success of the meeting was reflected in the gate receipts, totalling £2127. This showed how popular the meeting was. especially as the morning of the first day broke rather unfavourably. Mr. Pitt paid a high tribute to the work of the secretary, Mr. W. Power, and his staff and went on to say that the music of Queen Alexandra’s Band was greatly appreciated by patrons. The expense of its engagement was fully justified.

HUINGA DISTRICT NEWS.

The final euchre party of the season's series enjoyed a record attendance on Monday evening. The prize-winners were Mrs. 11. Kaye 1, Mrs. Grashinski 2, Miss I. Bell consolation; Mr. E. Baker 1, Mr. E. Jones consolation. The points prizes for the series went to Miss L. Knox, with Miss K. Kovaleski runner-up. The men’s went to Mr. R. Steele, with Mr. L. A. Leydon runner-up. The Monte Carlo was won by Miss Z. Griffiths and Mr. G. Cuff. Supper was served by the ladies and dancing was enjoyed, Mr. J. Corbett was master of ceremonies.

Mrs. and Miss Kelly, who have been spending a holiday in Wanganui, have returned to Huinga. • Mr. and Mrs. J. Salisbury have returned to Huinga. Huinga can boast of a genuine fishing story of some magnitude. A budding Isaac Walton threw down his fishing rod a'nd next morning found ho had hooked a horse. Zane Grey will be hard put to it to beat this record.

GENERAL ITEMS. The following will represent Stratford fourth grade against Eltham today.—Pollard, Pettigrew, Martin, Reader, Latham, Jenkin, Fawknenr, Pratt, Green, Wilmshurst, Moore, Ireland, Vincent, Burgess, Hancock, Till, Dickson, Berg.

The Strathmore team to play Whangamomona at Strathmore in the final for the Meredith Shield on Saturday is.— West, J. Ford, L. Bunn, P. Ford, D. Franks, A. Franks, F. Ford, J. J. Hopkirk, B. Corkiell, C. Colton, L, Hodson, J. Coyne, C. Yandle, Jarvis. The annual ball of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society will be held in the town hall, Stratford, to-night. The series of socials and dances held by the society during the season has earned universal approbation and the ingredients that went to make the smaller functions so successful will bo incorporated in extended form in tho ball. ■Sait’s orchestra of six' instruments will provide the music and the supper will be on the lavish scale. A special committee has devoted much pains to the decoration scheme which promises to be one of the best of the year. Mr. A. O’Sullivan will referee the Strathmore v. Toko Rugby match for the Dean Cup to be played at Toko on August 23, commencing at 2 p.m. As the result of a shop day last week the funds of the Eltham Presbyterian Church will benefit to the extent of £3O.

The third session of the FUtham Brass Band’s euchre parties concluded on Monday, when the prizes were won by Mrs. Wolfe 1, Alias M. Prince 2; Mr. Martin 1, Mr. Des Forges 2. The points prizes were won by Mrs. J. Taylor and Mr. Keys, each with 56J points. “It is pretty hard on a man to have to get a license in order to get rid of his -weeds,” said Mr. M. T. Phillips at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce in reporting that while persons not following the occupation of nurserymen were debarred from selling barbary plants, it was possible for a farmer to become licensed by forwarding a registration fee to the proper quarter. Barbary, he said, though, used extensively for shelter hedges, W’as virtually a weed in the back countiy.