UNAVAILING SEARCH FOR MISSING YOUTHS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3582, 27 April 1927, Page 7

UNAVAILING SEARCH FOR MISSING YOUTHS

Relief Parties Meet Tremendous Difficulties

LEVIN SIDE OP RANGES COMPLETELY SCOURED

With the return of further search parties yesterday, hope of of finding the missing lads, Boy Diederich of Palmerston North and Desmond Scanlon, of Wellington, is fast dwindling. Eleven days have elapsed since they set out on their ill-fated journey leaving no trace of their movements. Many willing helpers have endured hours of arduous toll - under unenviable weather conditions hoping* to find at least some small sign of their passage across the TaratfUa wilderness, and better still, the missing lads themselves.

The search on the Levin side of the range, thorough as it has been, ha« however, revealed nothing, not oven a camp-fire. This latter fact may be accounted for If the lads. In setting out on their tramp, followed the course of the Ohau river. Between .their departure and the commencement of the search, that stream came down in flood and that, of course, would wipe out all traces of their passage along its bed: It is 1 confidently believed that had they taken ,to the' ridges, ' some evidence .of their journey would have been discovered. In any case every valley and accessible slope has been covered without result.

The opinion now held Ip that, the boys are on tho other side of the other side of tho range—a theory that has everything in its favour. It is estimatedthat they were at least 20 hours on their journey before th* fog descended on the hills. All going well, they should have reached the main ridge before then. This theory Is also supported by tho tact that there is no trace of thorn on tho Levin side of the range. A Palmerston North party consist* Ing of Messrs W. H. Boyce (of the “Times” staff). P. Just, W. Wtthcl and A. L. Gulbransen returned yes* terday after haying been up on the mountains since 7.30 p.m. on Saturday when they first camped on the spur leading to Mt. Waiopehu. On Sunday they Went to the summit and camped on tho top. The day was spent In working the ridge and on Monday Messrs Just and Gulfcransen returned to Mr Adkln’s hut via the ridge keeping a sharp lookout and traversing all side trails that they discovered. Messrs Boyce , and Withel descended to th e Ohau forks and came down tho stream. Striking a side track they worked up the ridge again and camped for the night in the pouring rain. Yesterday morning they descended to the stream again which by' this time was in flood and with the aid of 12 foot poles essayed to follow the river as far as practicable. ■ “We were up to our waists In water." stated Mr Boyce, “and soaked from head to foot Fog made It Impossible to see very for ahead and wo had an unenviable time.” Upon reaching tho dam In the river they were compelled to climb to the ridge And finish their journey down its slope. They reached Adkln’s hut at 10 a.ra. and Palmerston North about midday exceedingly fatigued, cut and bruised, ■ ■ i MASTERTON PARTIES RETURN, WILL SET OUT ON SEARCH AGAIN TO-DAY. PROSPECTS FOR BETTER weather; ; MASTEETON, Last, Nights All parties engaged in the search for Desmond Scanlon and Roy Diederioh, who are .missing on the Tararua Range between Levin and Masterton, returned to Mastorton to-night. They will replenish provisions and equipment and, will resume tho search'tomorrow; ' • ■ 1 The weather has been very bad up till to-night, when : a frost set in and the range; has been clear fpy the first lime for several days, with prospects for better weather.