LOST IN THE HILLS

Evening Star, Issue 23863, 18 April 1941, Page 4

LOST IN THE HILLS

YOUTHS ON TRAMPING TOUR TWO OF FOUR STILL MISSING [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 17;' Two of a party of four youths who set out across the Orongorongos at the beginning of the Easter holidays, and of whom nothing further had been heard, were brought into town_ yesterday by a sergeant and two soldiers who were out deer stalking. The weather in the hills has been very had, and the parents of the youths had been very anxious about them, as none of them had had much experience as Hampers. The lads brought in are Bruce and Lawrence Neilson. They staggered in an exhausted condition into a hut occupied by the deer stalkers _at 10 o’clock yesterday morning. Their clothing was sopping, and they had not had hot or solid food since Monday, existing solely on condensed milk and water. As soon as they were made comfortable, the two soldiers went through to Wainuioraata to announce the boys’ arrival and the position in regard to the others. The secretary of the Tararua Tramping Club, after an interview with the Neil sons, said it was apparent that the other two on parting had followed the Turere River, and if they were not back by midday to-day search parties from all the tramping clubs about Wellington would be sent out. The missing lads are Warren Hobbs, aged about 18, and Maurice Forester, both of whom are Civil servants.

Nothing has been heard of the youths, and the tramping clubs organised a search expedition, which left Wellington at 4 o’clock to commence a search in the region where the Hampers were last known to be. There are about 21 in the party.