A melancholy occurrence is reported from Mr P. R. McRae’s Blairich station. On Thursday last two men, James White and Harris were sent out to muster some sheep, and while out a thick fog came on, causing them to lose all idea of their whereabouts. After wandering about for some time in vain effort to retrace their steps, poor White, who was an elderly man, told Harris to leave him and go on to the station, as he himself was exhausted and could go no further without food. Harris yielded to his request and succeeded in making his way to a shed on the Shearing Reserve where he was found in a pitiable state from exhaustion and want of food by Mr Mowat. Two men named Clifiord and Jarvis, were at once sent out in search of White, and yesterday he was found dead in the snow about 300 yards from where Harris had left him. Mounted Constable Collett was despatched from Blenheim this morning to take the necessary steps in regard to holding an inquest. -Marlborough Daily Times, 20/6/1882.
THE LATE JAMES WHITE.
To the Editor of the Express. Sir,— As a friend and towney of the late James White, who lost his life on Mount Horrible, I have to thank Mr P.R. McRae for his kind attention in issuing orders for the body to be brought out of an almost inaccessible place, and, after its being brought to Blairich for having —although just after an illness of several weeks — sat up till late at night and acted as coroner. I have further to thank him for having on the day of the burial provided all the hands on the station with horses to go into Blenheim, and for his own and Mrs McRae's attendance at the funeral. To Mrs and Miss McRae I have to return thanks for the regard paid by them to the body; also to Mrs Mowat and sons for their kindness, Mrs Mowat for the kindness shown by her to Mr Harris (deceased's mate), and the Messrs Mowat for searching for the corpse; as also to Messrs Edward Guest, John Harris (although laid up himself), James Clifford, and Joseph Davidson.
— Wishing them happiness in this life, I remain, their most obedient servant, John P. Douglas. Blairich, June 24, 1882. -Marlborough Express, 29/6/1882.
Died from Exposure to the Weather. — Such was the verdict of the jury with regard to the unfortunate man James White, whose death was referred to in our telegrams some week or two ago. The deceased, who was only fifty-three years of age, was a shepherd and musterer on the Blarich station, Mount Horrible, in the Marlborough district, and the following is the report made to the police authorities on the melancholy occurrence: — The deceased, in company with John Harris, a cadet, went mustering at Blairich run, on Wednesday, 14th June, when the fog came down the mountains, and then, instead of returning to the whare, as instructed, they staid out on the ranges. It then commenced raining heavily, and the benighted men completely lost themselvee. With great difficulty they lit a fire, and killed and cooked a sheep, and they then camped where they were, out in the ranges. The following morning they were no better off, being still unable to find out where they were, and at two o'clock p.m. the deceased said to his companion that he could not go on. Harris then left him to try and go for assistance, but was unable to get out of his position that night. He passed that night between two logs, and with no other shelter, but the following morning (Friday) he succeeded in reaching a whare. Having told the inmates of the condition of White, they at once took steps to find him, but owing to the bad weather were unsuccessful till the following Monday, 19th June. When they discovered him the poor fellow was lying dead, not many yards from the place Harris described as having left him at. The deceased is believed to have a brother at Crescent Farm, Stirling, Otago. -Colonist, 19/7/1882.
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