LOST IN RANGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22421, 18 May 1936, Page 8

LOST IN RANGES

PARTY AT NIHOTUPU TWO GIRLS AND BOY FRUITLESS SEARCH MADE BUSH HINDERS EFFORTS WIDE AREA COVERED A search was being made at a late hour last night for three children lost in the Waitakere Ranges. The children, two girls aged about 14, and a boy aged 15. left the Waiatarua Hotel, Nihotupu, yesterday afternoon for a walk in the ranges, and when they did not return in the evening anxiety was felt for their safety. A search party was formed immediately. Tho two girls, who are relatives of the wifo of the manager of the hotel, Mr. R. W. Wise, and the boy, who is a pupil at the Auckland Grammar School, left the hotel shortly after three o'clock yesterday afternoon, accompanied by a young terrier. It was their intention to make for a trig station, which is the highest point in the ranges, and about two miles by road, and then two miles by track, from the hotel. Search Organised As the party had not returned bv nightfall, steps were taken to organise a search party, comprising residents at the hotel, and people living in the district, who were informed of the position by telephone. The assistance of the police constable at Henderson was also obtained.

Early in the evening, a party of several men set out from the hotel by motor-car, under the direction of Mr. Wise, and a thorough search was made of the routo taken by the missing children. Tho men carried torches, and split up into parties, but there was no moon to assist them. They experienced difficulty in keeping in touch with each other, and it was found that calls did not carry far in the thick bush. Barking of a Dog The men returned to the hotel shortly before 10 o'clock after a fruitless search, and after refreshment a party of four set out again in the car, following a telephoned report that calls and the barking of a dog had been heard in the bush near Mountain Road, past Sharp's Bush, a long distance from the area which had been searched.

An attempt was made to telephone the IYA radio studios with a view to having a call for assistance broadcast to members of the Auckland Tramping Club, but the radio station had closed down at 10 o'clock before tho call was made.