FATE OF YOUTH

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19648, 7 August 1935, Page 9

FATE OF YOUTH

DEATH IN RANGES. i SAD END TO STALKING TRIP. COMPANION REACHES SAFETY. (By Telegraph.—press Association.) ' ' PALMERSTON N., Tuesday. Of the two lads who set out for a day's shooting in the hills behind Palmerston North on Sunday and became lost, the younger, Michael Abraham tged 18, walked out on the Pahialua side, near Mangamaire, at 730 this morning. His companion, Manuel Hart, aged 21, was later discovered lying dead on the bank ot a stream, apparently having suocumtoed to exposure. . , - Abraham, telling of their experi--enoes this afternoon, said that they ,set'out on the way back to their car at the bottom-of the foothills, but followed a wrong trail, and, to make "matters worse, they "had left their coats and food in the car. ' Then rain commenced, with thick mist, and all hope of discovering th<* direction in which they were going vanished. They realised that they ■were in trouble, but thought that by following down the stream they would come out. somewhere. However, the creek rose rapidly and at one spot tooth went, over their, heads into the torrent.' --- - - ' •• Separated During Night. Already numb as they were with wot and cold, this’ immersion nearly spelt disaster for both. Abraham said thav he had to summon a great deal of effort to reach the toank and then, looking for Hart, discovered that too was in difficulties and had to -pull him out, soaking wet and numbed in brain as well as in limb. The two lads lay down at mid-day on Monday to try to get some sleep. Abratfam continued. When he awoke It was pitch dark, so toe went to sleep again. He oould see nothing of 'Hart In the darkness, and when he woke up a second time his companion was not there. Either he or Hart had moved during the night. Abraham went on down the stream, eventually reaching a farmhouse, where he was given dry clothes and a meal. Immediately on -receiving news of Abraham additional search parties went out on both sides of the range to look for Hart, ivho was finally found lying on the bank of a stream, apparently where toe toad lain down to sleep. Death was due to.exposure.