SEARCHERS THANKED

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 192, 11 May 1933, Page 3

SEARCHERS THANKED

Dinner Given by Trampers INSTANCES OF DEVOTION Ou Saturday evening last a unique dinner was given in a room of .Messrs. Collinson and Cumiinghaine, Ltd., Palmerston North. The hosts were the ‘•missing’’ trumpets, and the guests were representatives of those who had assisted in the search for them —men and women from the Wairarapa 'Tramping Club aud Mastertou search party committee, the Manawatu, Tararua, Massey College, Apollo, Levin-Waiopehu aud Victoria College Tramping Clubs, as well as representathes from the private transmitters and citizens of the district who had given their aid. Mr. L. IL Collinson presided, and in proposing the toast of ‘•The Trampers” said he regretted the absence of Mr. O'Keefe, who was in hospital. lie wanted to give his personal appreciation of the cool-hcadedness and endurance of the trampers. In' face of terrifying iiardship they had illustrated what could be done with the human body when it was controlled by minds that could not be affected by starvation or panic. He felt proud to be sitting at the same table with them. Mr. Brockett, of the Masterton search party committee, said he knew the Tararuas and the weather conditions, and onlv extraordinarily able trampers and physically fit men could come through such an ordeal alive. After musical honours the trampers replied. Miss M. Williams said: “For what vou and the general public have done for us, in deep humility, I thank you.” Mr. Eric Hill, the leader, in a short speech, expressed his gratitude to the search parties and others who had willingly helped. Drf W. B. Butch added his appreciation and expressed h:s regret that the people of New Zealand had been put to so much mental suffering on their account. Dr. Sutch proposed the toast of the Wa-irarapa and Carterton Tramping Clubs- and the Masterton search party committee. Mr. Russell, Mr. Selby, and Mr. Brockett replied. The toast “The Searchers was proposed bv Mr. R. Andrew Fuller, secretary of the Manawatu Tramping Club. He made special mention of the wireless operator at Te Matawai, Mr. Gabriel, who had stuck to his post fifteen hours a day, and to Mr. Zotoff for his leadership of the Manawatu party. Dr. Yeates, of Massey College, replied and referred particularly to Miss Ivy Pascoe, who had braved the storm and the waist-deep mud to get to Te Matawai, and had stayed there in the cold for a week, cooking for the searchers. To Mr. Hopwood, who had worked night and day for them, and to Mr. Andrew Fuller and his mother, Mrs. Fuller, who had done invaluable staff work in Palmerston North, appreciation also was due, Mr. D. Scott proposed the toast of the Levin-Waiopehu Tramping Club. Mr. Arne Larsen, ex-Mount Cook guide, referred to as “the human pack-horse, replied on behalf of the Levin club. The toast of the Manawatu and Tnrarua Tramp'ng Clubs was proposed by Dr. Sutch. Mr. A. C. Zohrab, in his reply, said that every tramner had his own reasons for tramping, but the incident under discussion showed that tramping brought forth the finalities of endurance and self-sacrifice which mankind had always regarded as being among the noblest of virtues. He concluded his speech by propos'ng the toast of “Other Tramping Clubs,” making special reference to the Massey College, Apollo, and Victoria College clubs. Mr. McMonchen. of Massey College, and Mr. G. Trew’ck, of the Apollo club, replied. Mr. Trewick remarking that he did not recognise the well-groomed people in front of him as the boarded bushwlmokers ho had met a week ngo. The final toast of the evening was “Mr. and Mrs. Collinson.” The dinner ended with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” During the evening songs were given bv M. pnnketh. Mr. A. McKejxcr, , Wnlkpr, Dnv, mid the nsFpmbled clubs. Miss M. Muirhead was the accompanist