TRAGEDY IN HILLS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1932, Page 5

TRAGEDY IN HILLS

FURTHER PARTICULARS MEAGRE ACCOUNT AVAILABLE. Further particulars available of the tragedy in the hills in the vicinity ot the upper reaches of the Wilberfcr.e River, still leave the actual position in doubt. Mr James P. Wilson, of Christchurch, who was the first to give tile news of the disaster, was in tne hihs on a prospecting tour with Mr Merle Sweney, of Hokitika. it was Keith j.oney, one of the three teachers who lei t nokitikn, who came to their camp when he was attempting to reach Carrington hut, then five miles away, m an endeavour to obtain assistance. Loney informed Wilson that his P a >ty had pitched camp on top of tiie Harman Pass (.a \ery exposed place,), in order to spend a night. They had however, become snow hound, and their supplies were ail used up. ft is believed that the three were a week held up on the Harman Pass. Wilson was so exhausted and prostrated by nervous strain that he could not giie Mr Cochrane a connected account of the happenings, but stated he believed tnat Smith had died from exposure, and that Kobbins had wandered off, while Loney was in a demented state, \\ ilson had himself had no sleep for three nights and left his party to obtain help. When asked to go to bed at the BeaJey he refused, and after a meal he joined a search party comprising Constable Robb (Otira), and Messrs Cochrane and Kirkwood, , They departed with pack horses and food on a journey expected to extend over seventeen miles along the Bealey, Wilber* force, White and Taipoiti Rivers to the Harman Pass.

From Otira and Arthur’s Pass other searchers yesterday set out, while Constable Kearney, of Cobden, leit by the afternoon train for Otira in order to join in the search. In addition to earlier parties, two parties from Christchurch last night were making their way up between the Wilberforce and the Waimakariri towards the Carrington Hut, but their progress would be very slow throught the night, owing to the nature of the country, which is bush clad for a good distance and then becomes very precipitous.

Last night word was received from Bealey that other campers had found Loney seventeen miles out in the bush, and taken care of him. It was also stated that Wilson had reported that before lie had left to come to Bealey, Bobbins had walked away in a delirious state. There are stated to have been two parties of prospectors up near the source of the Wilberforce, and that it is from there that the other men are missing, but whether due to hunger and the effects of the heavy snow encountered by the teachers’ party, or other- ■ wise, Mshe reasofi -for their "becoming lost could not he discovered, The number of sen reborn going out has heuii considerable, SO til fit there should bo every chance of their finding anyone wandering in the region, but the ordeal of all parties will he a severe one, and it is possible there has been a continued heavy snowfall in the Harman Pass locality, although the weather last night in the neighbourhood of the Bealey was reported to be beautifully fine.

The Park-Morpeth Hut, which the teachers’ party passed, on their journey, recalls the tragedy three ago in that locality when two Hokitika youths, Park and Morpeth, after crossing Browning Pass, were drowned in the Wilberforee River. The hut was later erected as a. memorial to the two young men, AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT. MISHAP TO THREE MORE MEN. (By Telegraph—Per Press A ssociatioi>) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A telephone message from Boa ley, shortly after nine o’clock this morning, stated that there was no news from the parties searching for the trampers. The country is exceptionally wild, and it is not expected that there will be any report till this afternoon. The weather appears to lie fine on Harman’s Pass. Three search parties are now out and will he joined by others to-day. It was also reported at Bealey yesterday that another party of three whose names were unknown, had met with a mishap, but tliero is no confirmation of this report, SEARCHERS’ TASK. very difficult country. CHRISTCHURCH, January 13. Every available man at the Bealey is engaged in the 'search, and also parties from Springfield and Arthur's il'ass. but none is expected to get back till the morning.

The route to the Carrington Hut is veiv rough, and from the hut to Harman Pass, it is very much more so, and the searchers could not average mpro than two miles an hour. The route from Browning Pass to '.Harman Pass is very rough, and the way i..s exposed. The men must have gone from. Browning Pass for a mile or so to tile Park-Morpeth ‘Hut, and from there fhev would have followed up the Cronin River lor about seven miles to the White Horn Pass. The White (Horn Pass is a long rift, giving access to the Harman Pass. The country is very rough and treacherous, and, boling on the divide, it is swept by storms, which iviK’h terrific iutcusitv. It is sever;! 1 miles from the Harman Pass down the Taipoiti and White Rivers to <tl»e Carrington Hut, in the

Waimakariri Riverbed, and from there it is about 11 miles to the junction of the Bealey River near the Bealey Hotel.

A strong westerly was blowing high up to-day, and the divide between Canterbury and the W est Coast was packed with ctouds. It is quite probable that clouds are low down on the mountains, and on the iHarman Pass, where it would be raining or snowing.

AEROPLANE MAY ASSIST.

CHRISTCHURCH, January 14

Aeroplanes ' may be sent from the Wigrani Aerodrotno to assist in the search for the missing men. At present the westerly weatehr prevailing in the Alps would not be favourable to an aerial search as fog and mists extend from the Bealey to Lake Coleridge, Should the weather change to southerly and permission be received from headquarters at Wellington, an aeroplane will leave Wigram at the earliest opportunity.

In connection with the search for the missing Hampers, arrangements are now being made by Constable Drummond to form a search party to start from this side. They will await news from the present search parties, expecting that news will be available at Bealey about 9 o’clock to-night. If that is not favourable, then the search party, which will consist of 4 to 6 experienced ymen, will leave early tomorrow morning, and expect to make at least the Pyramids that night.

In connection with the Hampers re* ported missing. Merle Swuiiey, eldest sou of Mr H. R, Sweney, Secretary of the Hokitika Gas Works, ag d 23, and James P. Wilson of Christchurch, both students at Christchurch Training College, left on December 27th for the purpose of prospecting for gold in the hills. They were well equipped for their outing and were to make for the Park•Morpeth hut, and then Carrington hut, arranging for provisions, and from thence were to cross the Mungo river, a branch of the Wilberforce river to carry out their prospecting. Both had 801bs. swags, a tin dish and other utensils, and they also had a rifle and ammunition. No word had since been received from them but anxiety had not been felt as they were expected to remain in 'the hills for two or three weeks.