THE ALPINE TRAGEDY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 18, 26 February 1914, Page 10

THE ALPINE TRAGEDY.

A BODY FOUND. MUTE EVIDENCE OF DISASTER. ALL HOPE ABANDONED. « The following telegram, timed The Hermitage, 9.35 a.m. (to-day), from Mr B. M. Wilson, general manager of the Tourist Departirient, was received by the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts: — "Chief Guide Graham has just returned to the Hermitage. "He found the body of Guide Richmond, but there was no sign of the others. "The party had been overwhelmed by an avalanche falling-on to Linda Glacier from the top of the dividing range, north of Dampier, and sweeping the valley for about a mile. Richmond's watch was smashed afc ten minutes to five, which was about the time they were expected to be in the vicinity. Graham does riot consider that there is any chance of finding the bodies of Mr King and Guide Thompson. Richmond's body is being brought down by the guides, and is to reach here on Saturday night. PARTY" ABOUT TO ABANDON SEARCH. The Hon. H. R. Rhodes received the following telegrarii from Mr Wilson at lp.m.:— •' " The rescue party had a very hard hard time, and are resting to-day ax Ball Hut, where Chief-Guide Graham returns to-night with Mr Friend and three Austrian climbers who have volunteered their assistance. The country was so rough and broken that it was only possible to get the body out by each man taking turns to carry it a few steps at a time. The body was fearfully mutilated and barely resognisable. The party had almost decided to abandon the search when Graham saw a boot sticking out of the snow, and so discovered the body. They tried hard to find the others. '' The avalanche appeared to have been an enormous one; practically the whole ice-face fell directly on to the men. The actuial spot has always been looked upon as quite safe,, though th'erS was a dangerous .one further on. This is the first fatal accident in the Southern Alps, which have been climbed for jtnany years. The accident was in no way due to carelessness, but was simply a calamity j)f Nature. ' c Mr Wilson ' has Arranged with the Coroner and the police for the holding of an inquest. "Mr Wilson will leave the Hermitage to-morrow, and will arrive in Wellington on Saturday." SYMPATHY. ~'W> The substan'ce of the above message has been cabled to the High Commissioner, who has been requested to inform the English Alpine Club, of which Mr King was a prominent member. The High Commissioner has also been requested to convey the sympathy of the New Zealand Government to Mr King's relatives.