THE SEARCH PARTIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 100, 30 April 1927, Page 9

THE SEARCH PARTIES

RECOGNITION OF SERVICES

(To the Editor.)

'Sir, —Most of your readers have, during the past week or so, been watching with deep interest the news with regard to the two young men who were away in the Tararaa Ra"nges, and regarding the search parties which were looking for them and which have now returned.

'There is one aspect of the matter which has 1)6611 worrying me a>bit, and / I think it probable that a good many of'; your readers share my feeling on this point. The community must feel a deep sense of obligation to the scores of men who have, during the inclement weather of....the. past ten days, been ...scouring the gullies ,and the mountain 'sides, enduring "fatigue and hardships which only those who know that country can properly realise. That debt cannot be repaid, and, knowing a good many, of those concerned, I am quite well aware that they would resent any attempt to repay it. But is it fair that, in addition to giving the personal services, of which moat of us are incapable, they should also bear the monetary expense^, which have been' incurred? These must be very considerable; the transport and other costs of taking a large body of men out into the bush and maintaining them there for more than a week must have run into a good deal of money, and, to some of those concerned, cessation of the daily work 1 has np doubt meant cessation of income.

I venture to think that there arc a good many of your readers who were unable to take part in the search, but would like to feel that they had a hand in. the business by indemnifying the searchers against loss. If they do feel like that, contributions sent to mo, or to Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., 3160, Feathorston street, or Mr. J. H. Jerram, State Fire Office, -will be gladly received. May I add one word on another matter! There is an impression that tho missing young men are members of the Tararua Tramping. Olub, and that therefore the search was really that club's affair. This.is a mistake. ' Neither of •Hie two young men belougs to the club, but many members of the club, asrhas frequently happened in similar circumstances in the past, went out as goon as the call came.—l am, etc., ■V T. B. CGBKTEJEi. (To the Editor.) ffir,-We have read with interest and anxiety the accounts of the search for the two youths lost in the Tararuas recently. But what little thought; has been given to those courageous,-men who have not only given their time but have risked their lives and have endured hardships in the cause of brotherly kindness. Is not the time opportune for some public appreci-1 ation of the services o£ these brave fellows, or does not the Royal Humane So- I ciety recognise their admirable efforts? It ig earnestly hoped that someone will further the matter now that the ball has been set rolling.—l am, etc., -.*>* April. LD-H----(To ifte Editor.) Sir, —In common with most of your readers, I have followed with natural and sympathetic interest the recent episode of the two young men who have been on the Tararuas, and the thing that strikes me, and is much commented* on, is the contrast between publicity and sympathy extended to these two men since they returned, and the apparent disregard for the men who have given their time and suffered equal hardships in trying to find them. The poor fellow who' broke his leg, and his companions, deserve much more sympathy than these two young men. It would, in the minds of most people, have been more fitting had less been made of the boys' own moderate experiences, and more prominence given to their debt to the searcher and the very "rear suffering of the injured man, and the pluck of that party, to whom much credit !>a due. —I am, etc., OLD PKOSPECTOE.