MISSING TRAMPERS

Wairarapa Age, 22 April 1927, Page 5

MISSING TRAMPERS

NO SUCCESS YESTERDAY. '** 1 t LEVIN PARTY HELD UP. fiF an Appeal for volunteers. k Yesterday saw the commencement of a very thorough search from the Masterton * side of the Tararua Range for the two young men, Roy Deiderich and Desmond Scanlon, who are overdue on a U tramp across the range from Levin to Masterton. Up till last night nothing had been heard fiom the searchers, though little information was anticipated as they are not likely to reach the top of the W range until to-day. The parties, as organised on receipt of the first intimation regarding the missing left yesterday morning. and further preparations are being made for the despatch of relays and aupp)cm< ntary food-carrying parties to Talievr those who made the imtial nip. . terton yesterday, those present being * Bergt. Dyer, Messrs. H. M. Peacock, F. W. Martin and G. Selby. Stressing the need for further volunteers and donations of food, Mr. Peacock said fhat it was well for all to re- ' member, whatever their views might be as to the wisdom or otherwise of two men attempting to tramp across the mountains, that the lives of two human beings were in danger and that in addition twenty-four of our own people were out on the hills and must be well wtp|»lied with food. The nature of the Cojntry on which they were working was such that large numbers of volunteers were required and that supplies must be obtained and packed into the base camps. The response to the call for volunteers, said Mr. Peacock, excepting those who had undertaken the most difficult work, had not been up to expectations. Cars were required, and also men to carry in the provisions. There was no danger, and perhaps little glory in the work, he said, but without it the high country party could not stay cut, and in such a search as this the bum blest worker was as valuable as the Dther. Arrangements had been made for to-day, except that a car was required at the end of the Waingawa Gorge Road at 4 o’clock this afternoon to bring out four of the party. Cars would be required every day. “For the many who cannot serve actively, are doubtless anxious to help,” sar! Mr. Peacock, “we would point out that money is required. It is not fair to expect one or two to shoulder the burden, and we feel sure that this, an &O.S. to the people of Masterton will not be in vain.” At the meeting it was arranged for Mr. F. W. Martin to leave this afternoon in charge of another official search party wllo will scour the spurs in the neighbourhood of the Mitre Peak. The members of this party are equipping themselves for a week’s journey if such should be ffund necessary. Mr. H. E. Gardner, who is in charge of the base camp for the Mount Holdsworth party, telephoned last evening stating that Mr. C. Blake and his Carterton party, who are travelling via Holdsworth, spent the night at the mountain house, and will proceed across the upper heights of the range to-day, and hope to meet the Masterton searchers ♦the vicinity of the Mitre by this

even; ng. Should this party find any trace of the missing men they will communicate with either Mr. Gardner or the Mitre Camp, which ever happens to be nearer. Writing to the Masterton Police, Mr F. W. Vosseler. President of the Tararua Tramping Club, who is in charge of e search party which left Levin on Sbursday, stated that the party comprised besides himself, Messrs. Mclntosh, Fife, Butcher and Hart, all of Wellington. They were equipped with four days’ provisions and gear. They •tarted at daybreak from Adkin’s whare on the Ohau River. If no results are obtained, further parties will leave Wellington to-night to further the search by assisting the present party with provisions, and in addition will explore the upper waters of the Otaki and also into the Waiohineiti. He suggested that further experienced men with supplementary stores should be despatched on Saturday morning from the Masterton end. A search is also being mr fnzm the dam at the Mangahao works. Mr. Vosseler stated that the lost men had bo tent or compass, but had a map. They were fairly warmly clad and seemed to have started reasonably provisioned. OHAU IMPASSABLE. Latest advice from Levin last night was to the effect that Mr. Vosseler’s partv could not cross the Ohau River, •g they returned to Levin and will today thoroughly search up the Otaki Biver. THE SEARCH PARTY FUND. Donations of food and general supplies are acknowledged from the following: Mr. R. Page, Dr. J. A. Cowie Mr. M. T. Wood, Messrs. King and Henry, Mr. L. A. Wad ham, Mr. A. Rip»pon, Mrs. Wray and Mr. F. W. Martin. The following cash donations have thus Ifc&tives of the trampers 5 0 0 Mr. H. M. Peacock 10 6 Miw Peacock 10 6 M. A. W 5 o THE MT. HOLDSWORTH CLUB. Sir.—l am iMtrneted°on behalf of the Mount Holdsworth Club to sta*e • that if an emergenev outfit is purchased by publie subscription, the club offers to store the same either in town or at the mountain free, and also to keep a register of the names of persons and their addresses who will offer to take part in any rescue party when required in future.—l am, ete. Hon. Secretary. NEWS FBOM PALMERSTON N. A message received from Palmerston North early this mornin- stating that Messrs. Fyfe Mclntosh Butcher and Hart, finding the Ohan impassable, were taken charge of by Messrs. Adkin. Walker and Stewart who recently did the Levin to Ekehabuna tramp, and a route was taken ria a deer stalkers’ track in the direc-

tion of Dundas, thus saving the party from having to return to Levin as was reported earlier. Mr. Deiderich leaves Palmerston North to-day to assist in the search. Ha ‘ated last night that hv was confident .•is son was safe as he had had previous experience in the ranges. A party of experienced bushmen left Otaki yesterday and will make for the direction of Hector and Holdsworth. They will Work northwards to the Ohau on the chance that the trampers might have lost their way in the Otaki “basin.”