THE LOST TRAMPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21941, 1 May 1933, Page 10

THE LOST TRAMPERS

ML THE MEMBERS RESCUED WEAK BUT CHEERFUL FOOD SUPPLY EXHAUSTED ■(Pee United Press Association.) CARTERTON, April 80. Kewa was received at Carterton this afternoon that a party of pig hunters led by Walter Smith, of Woodside, when tramping up Waiohine Gorge this morning met the lost tramping party coming down. The members of the party were well, but weak. About the same time a party belonging to the Carterton Tramping Club, mostly girls, was hiking up the valley on the other .side of the river. Mr Smith and his party got the four lost trampers over the cradle bridge to the other side of the river, where they were joined by the Carterton tramping party. This party had plenty .of food and rendered all aid possible. The whole party then went down to the residence of Mr Compton, where they were further cared for. Mr Hector Bassett, a son of Mr R. Sauett, of Woodside, was in the gorge when the two parties joined and he took a message announcing the discovery of the missing trampers to his father at Woodside. Mr Bassett, sen., telephoned to Contable Robinson at Carterton, who reported thq matter to Sergeant Dyer, of Masterton. The members of the lost party were evidently making their own way out. They' had been camped on Totara Flat and it took them two days to get from there to the spot where they made contact with Mr Smith’s party. They saw an aeroplane on Thursday, but could not attract its attention. With the Carterton trampers there was a trained nurse who was able to render any assistance required. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES SNOW AND RAIN STORMS - RATIONING OF FOOD ACCIDENT TO MR O’KEEFE (Pee United Press Association.) CARTERTON, April 30. The members of the missing party arrived at the ..'Carte Aon -..police station about 4.30. Mr O’Keefe had his head hound up-'and looked a yery sick man. Miss Williams was cheerful, but thoroughly worn out and very pale. Mr Hill was fairly well and Dr Sutch was la good form. All were cheerful in spite of their terrible experiences. They started from Levin in beautiful weather, hut at the Pinnacles they encountered a violent gale and Mr O’Keefe was blown over, falling 40 feet on to the rocks. Mr O’Keefe was injured in the head and arm and rendered uncon- * clous. Mr Hill was bruised and dazed, hut the other members of the party got Mr O’Keefe to the top with great difficulty. Camp was pitched as it was then snowing and misty and windy. It was decided next morning to go back and make for Otaki, but this was found to be impossible and the trampers set out along Mount Holdsworth and down to the headwaters of the Waiohine. They followed the stream down till they reached Totara Flat,' where they were held up as the river was in flood, preventing them from. crossing. All were waking wet as it was raining heavily all the time. . Difficulty was experienced in making fires, though the trampers had plenty of -matches. A gale was blowing nearly all the time and Miss Williams was at one point blown clean off her feet. The food was reduced to a spoonful of jam each and some dried milk per day. Only tea was left on the last day out. The rationing of the food was started on the second day out.

■ The Carterton trampers were not looking for the missing party and were much surprised to see them. Both parties hailed and a Carterton -tramper called out, “Are you the lost trampers?” The reply was “ Yes.” They were making for the cradle bridge over the Waiohine. The Carterton trampers were the first to see them, Mr Smith and his party joining up later. The Carterton Club members gave the famished trampers orange drinks, eggs and milk, warm tea and sandwiches. Two members of the club then hastened to Mr Compton’s residence with the news. Mr Compton rode to meet the party and three —Miss Williams, Mr O’Keefe and Dr Sutch—were mounted on the horse and taken to Mr Compton’s house. Mr Hill walked, the distance being about two miles. Mr Compton speedily gave them a hot meal and they changed their clothing. From Mr Compton’s Mr Tieehurst, of Matarawa, brought the party to the police station at Carterton in his car. A great crowd had assembled to meet them, and. on the departure of three members of the for Masterton they were warmly cheered. Mr O’Keefe decided to return to Wellington at once, having an offer to take him there. DUNEDIN REJOICES MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR. The following telegram has been deopatebed by the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) to the Mayor of Masterton:— Please express to the trampers who have been found the joy of Dunedin citizens Bt the splendid news and the earnest hope that no ill-elfects will follow their physical and mental suffering. To those who braved all the hardships to render assistance and if possible bring the missing trampers home safe and sound our unstinted praise is given. They have lived up' to the highest traditions of our race.