PARTY FROM AUCKLAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20965, 31 August 1931, Page 10

PARTY FROM AUCKLAND

SAFETY OF ALL REPORTED. STRENUOUS SEARCH SUCCEEDS ORDEAL IN HEAVY STORM. / 0 Advice was received early this morning of the safety of all the members of a party of climbers who had been missing on Mount Ruapehu since Saturday evening. The party comprised 14' persons, six girls and eight young men, most of them members of the Auckland University College Field Club. After many hours of terrible anxiety, the grave fears which j had been felt were relieved by news that six members of the party had been found, and that they reported all the others to be safe and well. The party of 14 left the Chateau at 5 a.m. on Saturday to climb Ruapehu and a few hours later snow began to fall. When the party set out each member was well equipped with clothing, ice-axes and ropes, but the food carried would only have sufficed for one meal each. Several search parties left the Chateau yesterday and others set out from Ohakune, Karioi, Horopito and the Waikune' Prison Camp. More than 80 men were scouring the mountain all day.. Stretchers, hot-water bags, first-aid equipment and supplies of food were taken to various points.