RECOVERY PARTY DELAYED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22785, 8 January 1944, Page 4

RECOVERY PARTY DELAYED

Body Found On Mt.

Malte Brun

Adverse Weather Prevents Start

Rain was falling at the Hermitage yesterday and the adverse weather made it impossible for a recovers’ party to leave for Mt. Malte Brun to investigate the discovery of a body made by climbers earlier in the week. When descending the mountain on Tuesday, Messrs Bruce S. Gillies of Oamaru and Harry J. Stevenson of Weston, with Guide W. Dorflinger. found a body which is presumed to be either that of Sergeant W. P. Morton or Leading Aircraftman W. F. Wallis (two members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who have been missing on a climbing expedition on Mt. Malte Brun since March 20. 1943). Mountaineering gear was also seen in the vicinity.

Constable J. I. K. Preston of Fairlie. with Mr Stevenson, Guide Dorflinger and two others, were ready to proceed from the Hermitage to Mt. Malte Brun yesterday but the weather was not favourable. The party will not leave the Hermitage until the weather clears. It is their intention to recover the body from the mountain if possible. Should this prove to be one of the missing airmen, an endeavour will be made to find the other body.

Much depends on the weather on the mountain and it is conjectured that it will be at least three days from the time the party leaves the Hermitage until it returns.