SEARCH GOES ON

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 182, 29 April 1933, Page 12

SEARCH GOES ON

No Sign of Trampers EXTENSIVE SURVEY “Signal Fire” Investigated MIST RISING FROM BUSH? Dominion Special Service. Masterton, April 28. Eight days of close searching have failed to locate tile party of four trampers missing in the Tararua ranges, and little hope is now held out of their being found alive. The party will be lucky indeed if it has survived the intensely bitter weather, weakened, as it must be, by exhaustion and lack of food. The search is being pushed forward with vigour, however, in the faint hope that it is not too late. Mr. B. Irons went up to Mount Holdsworth hut to-day and brought back a report from the Wellington searchers operating from there. This report stated that one party at Totara Flats had made three unsuccessful attempts to get up the Waiohine River, finding there was too much water in the gorges. One party of four had gone over the cone to get to Waiohine and a party of three had gone in from Holdsworth to get to Waioliine-iti. A party of four to-morrow intends to go along to Angle Knob and Girdlestone, also to Dorset’s Creek. Another party is to search the country about Broken Axe pinnacles and Maungatariri Stream. A party led by Mr. F. C. Brockett which searched the Mount Bruce district where it was reported a signal fire has been seen, found nothing. Mr. Brockett expressed the opinion on his return that it was mist rising from the bush which had been seen and not smoke. SMOKE AND LIGHTS Report from Observers By Telegraph.—Press Association. Masterton. April 28. A radio message was broadcast this evening from Mr. Vosseler reporting that smoke had been seen at noon, and lights at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday by two reliable observers eight miles apart in an area between Broken Axe anti Baltly. south of Mitre Peak. Mr. Vosseler asked that a party should search the area as quickly as possible. A message was received at Mount Holdsworth mountain hut. which later advised that a party was leaving immediately to search the area, and another Masterton party is taking the area from East Mitre to Mangaterera. A light was also reported to-night apparently from the same area. “The Dominion” acknowledges a contribution of 10/- from Mrs. V. A. A Foss. Hukanui, in aid of tiie funds for searchers for the missing trampers. Further donations will be acknowledged in these columns.