News of the death of Mr George Stringer, due from exposure, while engaged in saving sheep on the Otekaike Peak, part of his sheep run, was brought to town yesterday morning. Accompanied by Mr Ashton, he went out at about 4 p.m. on Monday, shortly after which a very heavy snowstorm commenced. They were seen at dusk on a heavily-snowed face, but as they did not return after nightfall, a search party went out early this morning and found Mr Ashton suffering severely from the effects of the intense cold and exposure, who narrated a terrible story. Mr Stringer had been seized with cramp while crossing a creek, and had been unable proceed, urging his companion to seek assistance. Mr Ashton hastened in what he thought was the direction of the homestead, but lost his way in the darkenss and unfamiliar snowclad country, and was found by the search party in a very bad way miles in the wrong direction yester morning. By his directions they found Mr Stringer's body at the place where he had halted. Deep and widespread sympathy will be felt by all in North Otago for the sad end of one who was a prominent figure in the society of his district and was admired for his many fine qualities. He leaves a widow (nee Miss Robertson, of Takarahi), but no children. The late Mr Stringer was shortly to have undergone his medical examination for the Flying Corps, all arrangements for his entering that service having been made. -North Otago Times, 3/7/1918.
INQUEST ON MR GEO, STRINGER.
An inquest was held at Otekaike yesterday to inquire into the surrounding the death of George Stringer. Mr T. A. Munro was acting coroner, and of a jury of six Mr W. H. Munro was chosen foreman.
Thomas Philpot, a shepherd, stated that at 12.30 on July 1st he and deceased and Frederick Ashton left to muster the End block, the furthest point of which is about four miles from the homestead. All went together for two miles, and then took separate beats, witness lowest, Ashton above him, and the deceased still higher up.
At 4 p.m. witness concluded his work, which was the last time he saw the deceased alive. At 5 p.m. he heard the deceased's dogs bark on the hill. Witness arrived home at 7 p.m., expecting the others to follow at any time. At 10 p.m. Miss Robertson and witness went out to look for them, and continued the search without success until 12 p.m. The following morning, with a party of 16, witness searched for the deceased and assisted to bring his body home.
Cross-examined, witness said he did not think it necessary to give an alarm, as the night was fine and clear. They went out to save sheep from the snow.
Robinson Edward Baxter, a casual laborer, said he had assisted in the search. At about 10 a.m. a dog was seen by one of the party, and Ashton was seen to stand up and fall down in the snow. When they reached him he was unconscious, and was sent in to the homestead. By tracing his footprints backwards they found deceased, lying on a piece of level ground near a creek, in which was a water-hole. Deceased's underclothing was wet and his body was quite cold. He appeared to have been dead for some hours. Witness assisted in carrying the body to the homestead.
John Melville, constable at Kurow, deposed to examining the body which had a small bruise on the right thigh. The clothes were saturated with water.
Cecil Frederick Ashton. a laborer employed by the deceased since February, stated that on Monday last he went out with him to remove, sheep from snow, which was from 12 inches to 2 feet 6 inches deep. At about 5 p.m. he heard deceased call out with the object of ascertaining witness' whereabouts. It was getting dark, and witness went to meet him. Both proceeded down the creek together. Deceased appeared tired, and fell into the water several times. On the last occasion witness pulled him out. and he lay on the ground. Deceased then told him to go for help, and adding "Goodbye," held out his hand. Witness remembered no more until he awoke at the homestead. (Mr Ashton was found in a state of collapse the following morning wandering about in the wrong direction. When found he was in a state of collapse.)
The jury returned the verdict that deceased met his death from exposure and cold while saving sheep out of the snow. -Oamaru Mail, 4/7/1918.
The death of Mr George Stringer in the snow, at Otekaike, on Monday, brings to mind the fact that snow storms have taken a comparatively heavy toll in Canterbury, mostly from musterers who have gone out to look for sheep. A Christchurch resident, who had a sheep station in the Kaikoura district in former years, discussing the subject, yesterday, stated that thirteen years ago two of his musterers set out to search for sheep one day in November. When they started, a nor'-wester was blowing, and they had neither coats nor overcoats, being in shirt-sleeves and waistcoats. After they were out for some hours, the wind veered round to the south-west, rain was followed by sleet, and sleet by snow, until the whole country-side was white. The men lost all idea of locality. Instead of making for the hut, and waiting for the storm to subside, they tried to get through with the sheep. They got into serious difficulties, apparently by mistaking a bluff. Having lost their way, they wandered on until they fell in the snow and died. It was about five days before their bodies were found, far apart. -Lyttelton Times, 4/7/1918.
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