LOST IN THE JUNGLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1925, Page 5

LOST IN THE JUNGLE.

GIRLS’ HAZARDOUS CLIMB. A NIGHT IN THE DARK. Suva, June 11. To be lost in the savage jungle and to spend a night in the dark with hordes of mosquitoes buzzing around and with all the petty alarms of the dark and bush noises, was the lot recently of two young ladies in Upolu. Misa Blackie, a, nurse in the Mootootua Hospital, and Miss Elsie Oakes, set out from Malolot lelei one Sunday morning. Their objective was the Lanutoe crater on the top of Upolu. Leaving in the early dawn th® girls climbed on and on. The day faded and the evening came, and still they did not find the way home. Their friends became alarmed, and vigils were kept throughout the night, while some adventurous ones sought for them through the dense bush.

By daylight everybody was aroused to the fact that something serious might have happened and numerous search parties were despatched in all Commissioner Cruiekshanks arranged the parties. One party went up the Papaseea track, and when near the lake saw the track of the girls, in the soft mud, the indications being that the missing ones had reached the lake, and had then started for home. It was not until 10 o’clock that the wanderers were found by Messrs Wallace and Halliday, and they were truly joyful to be rescued, as they had had a bad time with the mosquitoes and with want of sleep. Refreshments were soon forthcoming, and they wer< not long in being escorted home. It is quite a common thing for pedes* trians to be lost on this trip, and it should be the work of the authorities to make a good track, as this is one of the most beautiful trips possible for tourists. The expedition through the jungle was a difficult one for young ladie{ without a guide.