FATE OF CLIMBERS

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 27

FATE OF CLIMBERS

LOST ON MOUNT RUAPEHU AN ANXIOUS TIME. AUCKLAND, August 30. A party of 14 members of the Auckland University Field Club —young men and women —left the Chateau, National Park, at 5 o’clock yesterday morning with the intention of climbing Ruapehu and returning last night. A few hours after the party left the chateau snow commenced to fall. Last night a blizzard swept the mountain. When the party did not return a search party left the Chateau at 11 o’clock last night and scoured the mountain all night. Another party left at 3 o’clock this morning to search in a different direction. Seven further parties left the Chateau to-day and others set out from Ohakune, Karioi, Horopito and the Waikune prison camp. About 100 men were combing the mountain. Stretchers, hot-water bags, first aid equipment, and a supply of food were sent to various points on the mountain. All the. members of the party were well equipped wtih clothing, ropes, and ice-axes, and they also had a compass and an aneroid barometer. They had sufficient food for Saturday night’s meal. The names of the party are : . Graham Bell, lecturer in engineering at Auckland University College (leader). Bruce Spooner, aged 20, of Pukenui road, Epsom. S. Harris, of St. Heliers Bay. Stewart Mac Diarmid, aged 17, son of C. L. Mac Diarmid, solicitor, Hamilton. Warwick Stanton, aged 19, son of J. Stanton, city solicitor, Auckland. Alan Flynn, aged 19, of Epsom, son of Captain J. Flynn, of the Union Steam Ship Company. Harold Addis, master at Nelson College. Jock Graham, aged 24, of Auckland. Miss Esme Brockett, aged 17, daughter of Mr F. C. Brockett, of the Department of Agriculture, Masterton. Miss Moya Watkins, aged IS, daughter of Air H. H. Watkins, engineer to the Auckland Drainage Board. Miss Gweneth Watkins, aged 19, sister of Miss Moya Watkins. Miss Jula Rennie, aged 18, daughter of Mr D. Rennie, farmer, Helensville. Miss Fitzic Morris, aged 18, daughter of Mr G. N. Morris, S.M., of Whangarei. Miss Eva Ellet, aged 23, of Helensville.

SIX OF MISSING PARTY FOUND WELLINGTON, August 31. A message received at 2 a.m. states that late last night one of the search parties brought in the young man M'Diarmid to the cottage of Mr John Collins, warden at the park. The search party had found six of the missing trampers in the Whakapapa Gorge at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Those found are Messrs APDiarmid, Bell, Flynn, Misses Watkins (two), and Miss Ellet. The other members of the party are believed to be safe. It is understood that they divided into two parties, and searchers are looking for those not found. The girls who were found were considerably exhausted.