CAUSE OF SEPARATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20968, 3 September 1931, Page 10

CAUSE OF SEPARATION.

LOCATION MISTAKEN.

THOUGHT CHATEAU NEAR.

EIGHT HURRY FORWARD,

CALL TO RETURN IGNORED.

[BY* TELEGRAMI. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] THE CHATEAU, Wednesday.

If there is one lesson to be learned from the terrible experiences of the lost cilimbers, it is the imperative rule on all -mountain expeditions to stick together and obey your leader. Tho failure of eight members of the party to do this on Sunday morning was apparently the whole cause of tho subsequent trouble. When questioned to-day as to the reason for the party separating on the mountain, Mr. Graham Bell, who led them out on that unfortunate Saturday morning, was emphatic that if all . the members of the party had stuck' to him everyone would have been safe by. Sunday. '.'Coming down the glacier a strong wind . was . drifting us continually to the right," he said. "It was an absolutely hellish .wind, and to counteract its effect wc had to take one step forward and half a, step to the.left. Another time I would piut on 30 degrees deflection to allow for a, wind like,that.

"When we left our snow shelter on Sunday morning and continued down the mountain, we came to a snow-covered plateau. We all thought it was Scoria j'lat, in which case we were within safe distance of the. Chateau. I was equally convinced of this with the rest. As a matter of fact, we were in the Whakapapaiti Valley, which is further t6 the ltift. It is amazing how similar to Scoria Flat is the topography of that valley under a mantle of snow. In fact, we were aJI pointing out to each other features which we sword were familiar.

"I had told every member of tho party that we must not become separated, but such was the relief and delight of everybody in knowing, as we all thought, that we had reached familiar ground, that nine of our companions hurried on ahead full of hope and enthusiasm, and eager to get back to the .Chateau to relievo the aiiixiety of their friends a.nd relatives. "I called out to them to come back, but only one girl responded to my appeal. That was one of the Misses Watkins. Had the others done as I told them and kept with rne all would have been well, .because wo were in no sense bushed. 1 knew the Chateau was on our right, because we had not seen any sign of Pin•nacle Ridge; in tho fog. It was only a case of moving further to the right and I know we would come straight up against the Pinnacles and the Salt-Memorial Hut would be close at hand. Apparently those who went ahead thought tho Chateau was on their left, which accounts for their getting so far over in that direction. 1 canrot say what made them think the Chateau was to their left. At no timo was I under any misconception on that point, and had they kept with mo wo vjould all have reached the Chateau on Sunday, even had no one come out to look for n?."

VICE-REGAL MESSAGE.

ADMIRATION OF COURAGE.

SEARCHERS CONGRATULATED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.'] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloc, has sent to Mr. Graham 8011, "at the Chateau, tho following message:— "Her Excellency anjl I are greatly relieved to learn that with the exception of one member, whom wo hope may yet be rescued, you and your party have como safely through your severe ordeal on Mount Ruapehu Wo have road with admiration of tho courage and plucky endurance shown by all, and especially by the ladies, and we trust that the sufferers are making satisfactory progress toward recovery. We congratulate those who, with public spirit and promptitude, formed themselves into search parties, upon the success of their efforts, in the face of much difficulty and danger to themselves."

Sir George Fowldb, president of the Auckland University Colletr©, has telegraphed "GTreatly relieved at further rescues. Please extend to members of the rescue parties the grateful thanks of the college for their wonderful work. Sincerely hope similar success will attend their efforts to rescue Stanton."