SEVEN STILL MISSING.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20330, 1 September 1931, Page 10

SEVEN STILL MISSING.

DIFFICULTIES OF RESCUE. TWO GIRLS SAID TO BE IN LOW CONDITION.

SEARCHERS OUT ON RUAPEHU.

[THE PBESS Special Ssrvice.] . THE CHATEAU, August 31. Seven of the fourteen climbers who have heen lost on Mt. Ruapehu pince Saturday have been found and are safe at the Chateau. The last of these, Bruce Spooner, was found wandering on the mountain this morning In a daaed condition. He says five others were alive on Sunday, hut tftat twoof thegirle are in an estremely low condition »nd aire lying helpless in the bush. Search parties equipped with torches and stretchers are looking for the place where Spooner cays they are lying. They left early this evening, but owing to the darfcnera and almost impenetrable bush through which they will have to travel it is not likely tjiat anything will be heard from them to-night.

The rescued now resting and receiving medical attention at tho Chateau arc:—

Graham Ball, lecturer in engineering Ot Auckland University Colloge, loador. Stewart. Macdiannid, aged 17, son of Mr C. L. Maediarmid, solicitor, Hamilton. Alan Plynn, aged 19, of Epsom, son of Captain J. Flynp, of the Union »Steam Ship Company. MiSB Moya Watkins, aged 18, daughter of Mr H. H. Watkins, engineer to the Auckland Drainage Board. Mifls Gweneth Watkins, aged 10, sister of Miss Moya Watkins. Miss Eva ELlet, aged 23, of Holensville. Bruco Spooner, aged 20, of Pukenui road, Epsom.

Missing. Gordon S. Harris, of St. Holier J s Bny. Warwick Stanton, aged 19, son of Mr J. Stanton, Citv Solicitor, Auckland.

Harold Addis, a master at Nelson College. Jock Graham, aged 24, of Auckland. Miss Esme Beckett, aged 17, daughter of Mr F. C. Brtchett, of tho Department of Agriculture, Masterton. Miss Julia Remtfe, aged IS, daughter of Mr p. Jtennio, farmer, HelenpVille. Miss Fitsle Morris, aged 18, daughter of Mr G. N. Morris, S.M., of Whangarei.

Word that Bruce Spooner had boon found wandoHng alono in a clasted condition on the*mountain was brought to the Chateau at 4.30 to-day. He was discovered by a party led by Mr li>. C. Murie, captain of the IluapeUu Ski Olub, some miles away from the Wha-kapapa-iti valley, but was so far gone that ho could only give an incoherent accouijt of his experiences. Ho was left in the care of Messrs 13. K. I'ateman and T 11. A. Marks, members of the Search party, with instructions to make their way as best they could to tho Chateau, while the majority of tho search party looked for Spooner's five companions whom lie had left on Suhday night to l6ok for help. Spooner reached the Chateau at 7 p.m. He was in fairly good condition and smiled as he was assisted to his bedroom. Dr. Welby Fisher, of Tattmarunui, examined him immediately, and has forbidden anyone to see him. It. Will probably bo days before he recovers.

Spooner's Story. Before going to sleep, Spooner said he was With live others on tho mountain, including two men and three girls, on Sunday night. They were completely exhausted. One of the girls. Miss Esmo Brocbett, was suffering from a badly frost-bitten arm, and another girl had concussion. These two girls were critically weak and had been unable to move sinoo Sunday night. The third 1 girl was in better form, and tho two men had left th<v camping ground looking for aid. They spent Sunday night in the bush-covered Country lower down one of the benches of the Whakapapa-i'ti stream beside two waterfalls. The place could be located by a big tree. Two Girls Very Weak. Spooner said the two girls were so weak they could not move. Realising that the position was critical he had left them lying under a tree with a girl companion and two men whiles ho wont in search of help. "Ho wanted to get stretchers to carry the girls. Ho said tho two men standing by the girls were physically fit but dreaded, leaving them lest they should lose the Way back. Describing the finding of Spooner, Mr Murio said his party, which loft the Chateau at 9 a.m., was augmented by another party led by Mr B, S. Barnes, of Taumarunui, which came down from Scoria Flat/ Three men were sent to Silica Springs, six men wont down various streams in pairs, and the remaining five worked down the Whaka-papa-iti. They all whistled and shouted as they wont. Spooner was seen wandering about in a very dazod manner, although physically he appeared well. While Messrs Marks and Pateman piloted. Spooner to Silica Springs, Mr Murio pushed on to Whakapapa-iti stream and followed it down, with one man wading and a man on each bank. It was tremendously difficult going* and they were eventually compelled to keep together to prevent someone from being lost. They came out en the Tekaanu road and returned to the Chateau by way of Cullen's house. Footprints on Hillsides.

The hillsides were covered with footprints, said Mr Murie, and it was impossible to tell which were thoso of the lost and of the searchers. The party tried to follow Spooner's footmarks, but the other footprints crossed them. A large and Well equipped search party left this evening to explore the Lower Whafeap4pa-iti agaia. Some of the members of the party think they have an inkling where tho place mentioned by Spooner is.