BEALEY FATALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1932, Page 6

BEALEY FATALITY

CHRISTCHURCH REPORT

(By Telegraph—Per Brest Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, January 13,

A tragedy is believed to have overtaken a camping party on Harman Pass in the main Alpine divide. A message received from the Bea ley stated that one of the campers named Smith is dead, and another, named L Robins, teacher at the Addington ■School, had wandered from the camp and was missing and there was little hope that he would be found alive. A third membbr of the party named Loney is safe. A search party left Bealey this morning with pack horses and iOod. The three men are believed to be Canterbury school teachers, but the news is meagre. MRS ROBBINS’ STATEMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, January 13. The missing Hampers are school teachers in Canterbury: Charles (Bernard) Robbins, a married man, 27 years of age, residing with his wife and three children, at 11 Bunyan St. Waltham, Christchurch. His companions were Harold Smith, aged 25, residing at 4 Chancellor St. -Shirley, while the third man, Keith Loney is 26 years of age, and ’lives at Hill’s Road, Heathcote.

Mrs Robbins stated to-day that the three men had been planning the trip for some weeks. They lett Christchurch, on Monday, January 4th, for ■Hokitika, intending to walk back to Arthur’s Pass, and later climb -Alt. ißolleston. FURTHER PARTICULARS DISCLOSED. CONFLICTING- DETAILS. GREYMOUTH, January 13. The Bealey correspondent of the Greymouth “Star” reported . this afternoon that James Richard Wilson, a school teacher of Christchurch, arrived at Bealey at eight o’clock tins morning in dazed condition. He stated that a party consisting of himself, Smith, Robin and Loney (all of Christchurch) were lost on January 6th. in the ranges. They had no sleep for three nights, and did not reach Carrington Hut, hut were near the Wilberforce river, between the Waimakiriri river and the West Coast.

When Wilson left to secure assistance, Smith was dead, Robin had wandered away, and Loney was delirous.

Wilson refused to rest at Bealey, but, after a bath and food, went with a search party,' which took supplies of food, etc., and are not expected to return to Bealey till to-morrow. It is reported th^t''another search party left Christchurch at noon to-day. REPORT OF TRAGEDY. HOW THE NEWS CAME. CAUSED BY LACK OP FOOD. THE: PARTY SNOWBOUND. CHRISTCHURCH, January 13.

Word of the tragedy was brought to Bealey this morning by J. S. Wilson, also a school teafeher, who had been out with another party. About five miles from Carrington Hut, they came upon Loney, who was exhausted, and appeared to be suffering from lack of food. Loney told them the three men had pitched their camp on the top of Harman Pass, meaning to spend the night there.

They had been snow hound and had used up all the food. Doubt exists as to how long the men have been exposed, but it i® probable that they have been out for over the week-end. Apparently Smith suffered the most, and it is believed that he is dead. Robins had wandered off, and it is not known what has become of him. Loney attempted to get to the Carrington Hut and secure help, and was on the way there when he wa s found by Wilson and party. Jf is doubtful whether he could have reached the Hut lor the party took three and a half hours to get hack there after he was found.