REPORTED SAFE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 36

REPORTED SAFE.

The following appeared in our Second Kdition Inst w'jck :

MARTIN’S BAY PARTY. THREE MEN'REACH QUEENSTOWN. (Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.) QUEENSTOWN, February 22. What has come to be known during the past few weeks as the Martin s Bay mysgt'ry baa been cleared up. At five o clock to-night* Mr W. Biggar, of Lumsden, and Mr D. .Simmers, of Glenorchy, who were eagag.d by the National Mortgage and Agency Company to search for the missing men arrived at Elfin Bay, reporting all well. They were accompanied by Mr Charles Foxcroft, of Onehunga, one of the prospectors who went out to Martin s Ray on October 23, accompanied by one of the M*Kenzie brothers and Mr Alfred Beamish, Dunedin. Messrs Biggar and Simmers, who le-ft Elfin Bay on February 10, reported that when they reached Martin’s Bay five days later they found four of the men, namely, the M'Kenzie brothers, William Beer and Beamish camped at Davy’s hut on the north side of Hollyford, the men being still engaged in mustering the cattle which Beer had gone out in August last to bring out to Mossburn on of the National Mortgage and Agency Company. Previously this party had been at the Upper Pike, some eight or 10 miles away. When the searchers arrived Foxcroft was alone at M'Kenzie’s Martin’s Bay homestead across ihe Hollyford. He had gone there five weeks previously hoping to catch the Tutanekai on her expected visit to land stores at the bay, but up to that time the ship had not put in an appearance. Messrs Biggar and Simmers waited a day at Davy’s hut, and then crossed the Hollyford to the homestead to get Foxcroft who was anxious to return. Next day Messrs Biggar, Simmers and Foxcroft left for Elfin Bay, but they were held op by bad weather and floods at the head of Lake M'Kerrow for four days. They then continued their journey without further delay, reaching Elfin Bay ihis evening. The M'Kenzie brothers, Beamish and Beer have remained at Martin’s Bay mustering the cattle which they expect to arrive with in about two months’ time. It is possible that if stores run short one of the party may come out for supplies earlier. The mustering has been delayed as a result of the bad weather and floods nnd this has been the cause of all the anxiety. Mr Foxcroft stated he had been living for the past five weeks on soda bread and fish. He was quite pleased to see the nearch party as his stay in the district had been unduly prolonged, and he was becoming anxious. When he went to the bay it was his intention to remain only a month. His chief object in going to Martin’s Bay in October last was to inspect a small property which he owns there.