LOCATION OF GEAR

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30959, 15 January 1966, Page 1

LOCATION OF GEAR

Criticism Said Unfair

Criticism of a six-hour writ for rescue gear to lower the two injured Auckland climbers down the face of Mount Jellicoe was unfair and unfounded, Mr C. G. Buchanan, the Federated Mountain Clubs’ southern region-1 representative in the Search and Rescue Organisation, said yesterday. The chief ranger of the Mount Cook National Park Board (Mr M. L. Burke) had said the rescue could have been made at least six hours earlier had the necessary equipment been on hand at Mount Cook. Mr Buchanan said there was only one set in the South Island at present and it was stored at Wigram for convenience of air transport. An accident could occur anywhere in the South Island and if the rescue gear was kept at Mount Cook there might be difficulty in getting it when it was wanted. Another two sets are expected soon but it would not be known where these would be kept. Mr Buchanan said they would be used for practicing and training for a while.

Inspector L. D. Bridge, of the Wellington Search and Rescue Organisation, would be in Christchurch soon for talks with clubs connected with search and rescue, and the possibility of one of the new sets being kept at Mount Cook would be discussed then, said 1 Mr Buchanan.