MISSING TRAMPERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 113, 27 April 1933, Page 8

MISSING TRAMPERS

SEARCH CONTINUED HEAVY SNOW ENCOUNTERED. HOPE GROWING LESS.

MASTERTON, April 26. The tenth day has passed without any word of the missing trampers, and hopes of their having survived are growing less. There was a temporary improvement in the weather this morning, and parties were able to push into the back country. Conditions became worse this afternoon, however, and it is now snowing heavily again.

The search is being carried on with vigour, searchers taking heart from the experience of Diedrich and Scanlon, the two Wellington men, who were lost under similar circumstances at Easter, 1926. They found their own way out at Levin after they had been out a fortnight, and after hope for them had been given up. On the weather clearing a little this morning an attempt was made to carry out a search by aeroplane. Tho Wairarapa Moth, ZK—AJB, piloted by Mr. A. V. Jury, and with Mr. J. H. Preston as observer, flew into the ranges at Mount Bruce, followed up the Ruamahunga River, and then flew south along the range over Mount Holdsworth. Flying conditions were very bad, and tho aeroplace received a severe buffeting in the air currents. At times the machine was within 200 and 300 feet of the bush.

In from Greytown Mr. Preston observed light smoko high up in tho ranges. The smoke was only visible through glasses, and appeared to come from a pocket in tho hills facing tho north-east. It was intended to fly in again this afternoon to investigate more fully, but the weather became too thick to make this possible. If weather conditions improve, Mr. Jury will attempt to make another aerial survey early to-morrow morning. THROUGH HARD COUNTRY. Ms. F. Rolph’s party returned this afternoon. It followed up the Maungatariri Stream for about six miles through very difficult country, and searched the locality thoroughly, but found nothing. Mr. Rolph described the travelling conditions as “dynamite.” The Masterton search committee met to-night and discussed the position. The following dispatch from Mr. W. Aitken, who is in charge of searchers operating from Mitre Flat was received. “So far we have had no luck, but a comprehensive search of the country nurth of Mitro is being carried out. Messrs. Liddington, Frew and McMaster are camping through the gorge and are not expected back until Saturday morning. Messrs. Willis and Pitt are taking the Mitre creek, and Mr. Newland and I are doing Baldy creek. Mr. Knight was unable to make Baldy owing to tho river and the weather, and his part}’ is camping about 200 yards below the snow line. They are working north, and are expected back at The Flats to-night.”

SUPPLY OF PROVISIONS. The committee arranged for a party to go to Mitre Flats to-morrow with provisions and for a party to carry provisions up to Mount Holdsworth hut for Tararua Club members, who are operating from there. Air. W. L. Free, an experienced tramper, went out to Mitre Flats to-day to relieve Mr Aitken of the control of the parties there. Mr. Aitken, who will return to-morrow, has been out since Sunday. A number of carrier pigeons have been taken into the flats to bring back messages from the search parties. Two parties from Eketahuna went into the ranges at Putara this morning with tho intention of working down the Ruamahunga and exploring the basin of that river down to Riiamahunga Flats.

One party, led by Mr. P. Richardson, is returning to-morrow night, while another, led by Mr. W. J. Manser, will be out four or five days. SMOKE OF A FIRE.

The party comprising Messrs. C. Pickering, J. Hosking and G. Wainscott which yesterday went up the north bank of the Huamahunga River from Mount Bruce, where a signal fire was reported to have been seen, returned this afternoon. The party saw the smoke of a fire in the bush, but darkness came down before it could be reached, and the party camped. Although not equipped to stay out, tho members made themselves fairly comfortable for the night. This morning the smoke had disappeared. A party led by Mr. F. C. Brockett went out this morning and will thoroughly search the vicinity, staying until to-morrow night. The party has several carrier pigeons, so that a message can be quickly forwarded back to Masterton if necessary.