Trampers Safe Near Waiouru

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30391, 16 March 1964, Page 12

Trampers Safe Near Waiouru

(New Zealand Press Association)

WANGANUI, March 15.

Unaware that fears were held for their safety, two experienced trampers emerged from the Kaimanawa ranges, near Waiouru, on Saturday afternoon while search parties ranged the countryside.

They are Mrs Jessie Seaman, a radiologist, of Seddon street, Raetihi, and Mr George Rex Harris, of Palmerston North.

They entered the bush at the back of Ngamatea sheep station on the Taihape-Napier road oh March 5 with the intention of crossing the Kaimanawa ranges and coming out on the Desert road at the 14-mile peg. They were expected to reach their destination last Monday or Tuesday, but when they became overdue the police were notified and aerial searches were made on Friday and Saturday. During the tramp Mrs Sea-

man had badly wrenched an anxle and this hampered their progress. Heavy rain and low cloud caused further delay. On her return to Raetihi, Mrs Seaman said she had arrived home completely unaware of the search. She said that at no time had there been any question of them losing their way. Early on Saturday they were believed to have been isolated by flood waters from the rivers and streams in the bush. The pair had a tent and enough food for a week. A light aircraft from Taihape searched unsuccessfully on Saturday and two search parties entered the ranges.