TRAMPERS' FATE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1929, Page 2

TRAMPERS' FATE

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. Further particulars gleaned from the Christchurch “Press” stall' that on Thursday an inquest was held before Air 11. I’. Cawiy, S..M. Edward Leigh Park, hrotlier of .James Park, the deceased, gave evidence of identification. He last saw Jiis brother on Saturday, .January oth, at Hokitika. It was the intention of the boy and his friend, Morpeth, to walk from Lake Kanieri to Lake Coleridge. On the .Monday the journey was commenced. After hearing that the trampers were missing Park joined in the search, and went right up to Mrowning’s Pass on the West Coast side. For a week, together with others, lie searched and then hope was given up, and together with his brother he left to take up his duties in Wellington. On the train to Christchurch lie heard of the finding of some articles belonging to the hoys and at Springfield left the tram, and from there went to Lake Coleridge, and joined in the search on the Canterbury side of the range. On Sunday morning together with n party lie left Gloilthorn Station and went about four miles to the river-bed. As the party drew near the. riverbed they saw two men approaching waving their hands and motioning them to stop. These men were Messrs V. G. Cameron and 11. Anderson, who had found the body of one of the boys a short, while before. Then the whole party, numbering about eight, spread out across the Wilberforce river-bed and travelled slowly downstream in a hope that the second body might he found. They continued the search to where the body lay, hut found no sign of the second hoy. However, they came across a tent that bad belonged to the two. buried among a heap of gravel and driltwood. luirthor down was /the body. Park was of the opinion that his brother and Morpeth met their death on Thursday. January 10th, and that it was probable that they were, while attempting to cross the \\ ill >er force river, swept- downstream, and drowned. The body was in the riverbed on the shingle between two streams. It had evidently been covered with shingle, and then uncovered again by the recent flood. The Coroner gave a verdict of “ accidental death by drowning in the M ilberforce River on or about Janunij 10th.” The search for Morpeth will continue. As soon as shearing is over, Mr .Murchison, of Glenthorn Station will organise a party and tiioroughh search all the route the trampers must have traversed. It is certain from the signs found that the boys attempted to cross one of the tributaries, probably the Unknown, of Wilbevforce. Whether one was swept off his feet and carried away and the other was lost attempting to save him will ntjvcr he known. Two days’ storm had put the rivers into high flood and they must have been very dangerous. Probably when another Hood occurs the body of Morpeth will he uncovered. The search will at any rate be kept up.