A POLICE PARTY DEAD FROM THIRST.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3863, 4 December 1883, Page 4

A POLICE PARTY DEAD FROM THIRST.

[From the Argus.] Mr 0. Todd, the Postmaster-General of South Australia, Inn telegraphed from Adelaide as follows : —

I have received the folloAving bad news of the party sent iv search of Readt'ord and party, east "of Atttick Creek, from Mr Skinner, of Alice Springs:—" 9 pin —Line just Avorkable, but still very heavy ' leakage,' aud may go again at any moment. AVill endeavor to get all business through if possible. Am afraid there is very bad noAvs of tho police party avlio started in search of Readt'ord. I have not yet had full particulars, but believe that the Avholo parti', Avith tho exception of Mr Giles and a black boy, havo perished for Avant of Avater. Mr Giles left Trooper Shirley about fifteen miles from Att.-tck Creek, iippjircntly completely exhausted ; but as there Avero thunder storms about the vicinity, there Avere somo hopes of his surviving. The rest of the men, viz., J. Reeves, J. Hussey, George Phillips (avlio has a brother in New Zealand), and Arthur Phillips, avci-o left Avithout hope of recovery. Mr Giles and tho black boy Aval'ccd in fifty miles to Attack Creek. A party from Poavcll's Creek left this morning to assist Mr Giles, Avith instructions from Mr Johnston to travel clay ancl night. The above information I received from Mr Rowley, at Powell's Creek. Immediately communication is restored I Avill .speak with Mr Johnston, at Tonnant's Crook station, ancl get other particulars."

The following , hits been received from Mr Giles by Mr J. Skinner, Alice Springs:— " I am sorry to report that all the police part} , , except myself and a black boy, died from thirst on last AVcdnesday, also all the horses. I have walked in fifty mile.* with nothing , to eat since Sunday. Please instruct Mr Abbott to send a man with two spare riding horses, also a pocket instrument, foolscap, pencil, pick and shovel, tomahawk, mid rope to lower the bodies into the graves with. Let hjui send :\m a tittle nourishing foud, such as rice, corn flour, fruit, and limcjuico, and a box of pills, blanket, shirt, trousers, pipe and tobacco, and matches, also two billies, plates, knife and fork and fly, and some cartridges ; I have none. Ploase let the party start at once, as I am very weak and tired, and wet through. I know where the bodies of Shirley and llusfioy are lying, about fifteen miles from the last water. Arthur Phillips and Eees are further back. Please let the party get here to-night. (Signed) A. M. Gilks, Survivor of the police party. Attack Creek, Shackle. Giles and the boy had walked about GOO miles without food, and were thoroughly exhausted.