WANDERED OFF THE TRACK

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1933, Page 9

WANDERED OFF THE TRACK

MT. EGMONT EXPERIENCE ■ VISITOR STRIKES THROUGH BUSH. SAFE ARRIVAL AT MIDHIRST. Losing the track between Ngarara and Warwick Castle on the way to North Egmont from the Stratford mountain house, a young man- named Webster, railway porter, Onehunga, struck through the bush for the open country below him yesterday and eventually arrived at Midhirst. His non-arrival ; at North Egmont caused-fears for his safety and search parties had been summoned from New Plymouth and Stratford when Mr. A. Haldane, caretaker of the Stratford house, learned of his arrival at Midhirst in time -to stop the parties before they left for the mountain.' After several days at the Stratford house Mr. Webster was keen to make the. trip to North Egmont, but Mr. Haldane refused to allow him to go on account of the recent rough weather. Splendid conditions yesterday persuaded him to let the young man go and Mr. Webster left the Stratford house at 10 a.m. with a borrowed ice-axe .and instructions to ’ turn’ back" if' he encountered trouble of any kind. About 6 p.m. Mr. Haldane telephoned North. Egmont and learned that Mr. Webster -had not arrived. .Mr. H. Nodder, manager of the North Egmont house, then communicated with Mr. L. W. Lovell, New Plymouth, and arranged for a search party, Mr.' Haldane telephoning Stratford for the same purpose. Just as Mr. Lovelland his party were leaving New Plymouth it was ascertained that Mr. Webster had arrived safely at Midhirst. Between Ngarara and’ Warwick Castle the track reaches an altitude of between 4000 and 5000 feet and winds along at the head of numerous small gullies. It is presumed the recent heavy falls of snow obliterated.'the track and that Mr. Webster wandered off it in that vicinity. ; Realising.that' he was lost he probably set off down one of the gullies; for the open country at the edge of the reserve - and struck the Waipuku quarries railway line. It was 7 p.m. before Mr. Haldane received the ring from Midhirst to say that Mr. Webster had arrived.