SEARCHERS THANKED

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 4 (Supplement)

SEARCHERS THANKED

DINNER GIVEN BY TRAMPERS. INSTANCES OF DEVOTION. On Saturday evening last a unique dinner, was given in a room of Messrs. Collinson and Cunningham, Ltd., Palmerston North. The hosts were the “missing” trampers, and the guests were representatives of those who had assisted in the search for them—men and women from the Wairarapa Tramping Club and Masterton search party committee, the Manawatu,. Tararua, Massey College, Apollo, Levin-Waiopehu and Victoria College Tramping Clubs, as well as representatives from the private transmitters and citizens of the district who had given their aid. Mr. L. H. Collinson presided, and in proposing the toast of “The Trampers” said he regretted the absence of Mr. O’Keefe, who was in hospital. He wanted to give his personal appreciation of the cool-headedness and endurance of the trampGrs. In face of terrifying

hardship they had illustrated what could be done with the human’ body when it was controlled by minds that could not be affected by starvation or panic. He felt proud to be sitting at the same table with them. Mr. Brockett, of the Masterton search party committee, said he knew the Tararuas and the weather conditions, and only extraordinarily able trampers and physically fit men could .come through such an ordeal alive. '- After musical honours the 'trampers replied. Miss M. Williams said: “For what you and the general public have done for us, in deep humility, I thank you.” Mr. Eric' Hill, the leader, in a short speech, expressed his gratitude to the search parties and others who had willingly helped. Dr. W. B. Sutch added his appreciation and expressed his regret that the people of New Zealand had been put to sp much mental suffering on their' account. , ,

Dr. Sutch proposed the toast of the Wairarapa and Carterton Tramping Clubs and the Masterton search party committee. Mr. Russell, Mr. Selby, and Mr. Brockett replied. The toast “The Searchers” was proposed by Mr. R. Andrew Fuller, secretary of the Manawatu Tramping Club. He made special mention of the wireless operator at Te Matawai, Mr. Gabriel, who had stuck to his post fifteen hours a day, and to Mr. Zotoff for his leadership of the Manawatu party. Dr. Yeates, of Massey College, replied and referred particularly to Miss Ivy Pascoe, who had braved the storm and the waist-deep mud to get to Te Matawai, and had

stayed there in the cold for a week, cooking for the searchers. To Mr. Hopwood, who had worked night and day for them, and to Mr. Andrew Fuller and his mother, Mrs. Fuller, who had done invaluable staff work in Palmerston North, appreciation . also was done. Mr. D. Scott proposed the-toast of the Levin-Waiopehu Tramping Club. Mr. Arne Larsen, ex-Motmt Cook guide, referred to as “the human pack-horse,” replied on behalf of the Levin dub. The toast of the~ Manawatu and Tararua Tramping Clubs was proposed by Dr. Sutch. Mr. A. C. Zohrab, in his reply, said that every tramper had his own reasons for tramping, but the incident under discussion showed that tramping brought forth the qualities of endurance and self-sacrifice which mankind had always regarded as being among the noblest of virtues. He concluded his speech by proposing the toast of “Other Tramping Clubs,” making special reference to the Massey College, Apollo, and Victoria College clubs. . Mr. McMeachen, of Massey College, and Mr. G. Trewick, of the Apollo club, replied, Mr. Trewick remarking that hu did not recognise the well-groomed people in front of him as the bearded bushwhackers, he had met a week ago. The final toast of the evening was "Mr. and Mrs. Collinson.” The dinner ended with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” During the evening songs were given by Miss M. Penketh, Mr. A. MeKegsj; Miss Walker, Miss- Day, and- the assembled clubs. Miss M. Muirhead the accompanist. ;