SEVEN DAYS MISSING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 94, 22 April 1933, Page 10

SEVEN DAYS MISSING.

ONE WOMAN AND THREE MEN.

SEARCHERS OUT IN STORM.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

Concern is felt for the safety of four trampers who have been on the Tararua Ranges since last Saturday and of whom no news has been heard since early that morning. In view of the very wet conditions, it is feared a serious mishap may have occurred, but on the other hand all are experienced trampers and are well equipped. Search parties have gone out from Wellington and Palmeiston North to look for the lost trampers. The party is comprised as follows: Miss M. Williams, of Wanganui. Dr W B Sutcli. who has been temporarily on the staff of the Palmerston North Boys' High School. Mr. E. Hill, of Aokautere, near Palmerston North. Mr. A. H. O'Keefe, of Wellington. Early this afternoon there was still no word of the missing trampers. The weather conditions are bad, a storm having swept the district last evening. Anxiety has greatly increased, and the search is being intensified on both sides of the ranges. Another party of searchers left Palmerston North at mid-day. Two or Three Days' Food. Leaving Levin on Friday of last week, the party was to have left Te Matawai hut early on Saturday morning for the Mount Holdsworth * mountain house. Since then nothing has been heard of them. The missing party was equipped with sleeping bags and extra clothing, and had food for two or three days. A search party left Palmerston North yesterday afternoon for the Mitre Flats, and last evening a party from the Tararua Tramping Club left Wellington for Mount Holdsworth mountain house. Another party may set out froni Palmerston North for To Matawai hut to-day. Two members of the Wellington Radio Emergency Corps, equipped with a portable transmitter and receiver, are with tho Tararua Tramping Club, and contact will be made with a number of Wellington members, including Mr. W. G. Turnbull, the officer in charge of the corps, who will be on duty at Ins home at 112, Tinakori Road. If necessary, an intermediate station will also bo set up near lvaitoke. The base station's call sign is ZL2EW. Tho country in which the party is lost is very rugged and exposed, ami it will be necessary for the search parties to cover a very wide area. It is recalled that Mr. O'Keefe had a trying ordeal a few weeks ago, when he became separated from his companions, who comprised practically the same party as the present one, during a mist which came up suddenly on Mount Bannister. He eventually reached the Masterton side and safety after Several days and nights ill the open.