ON THE TARARUAS.

Otaki Mail, 9 January 1920, Page 2

ON THE TARARUAS.

PARTY SAFE AND WELL,

RETURNING TO OTAKI THIS AFTERNOON.

The public will be pleased to hear that the party, comprising Miss Louise Mack (war correspondent and journalist), Miss Knox and Mr A. K. Knox, who left the wharc above Otaki Forks on SnuTTay morning for Grcytown via the Tararua Ranges, and had not since been heard of. was last night reported to bo well and safe.

This'morning Mr H. Nicolson. secretary of the Otaki Track Committee, gel into communication with Mr Mari: Maxton, secretary of the Grcytown Committee, and gleaned the information that the party had arrived at Grcytown, anti although very tii d were well. Constable Mclntosh and Mr A. L. Webster, who left GroyKivvn it noon on Wednesday, arrived at the Tauhereniknu hut on Wednesday night, and at 4 a.m. next day started for Ml. Alpha, which they reached four hours later (8 a.m.) Here they found the party, and according to their statement Miss Mack, Miss and Mr Knox had found provisions at the hut and were by no means short of food, but for three nights they had been without shelter. After leaving Mount Dcnnan the trio had struck bad weather and went down from Mount Hector to the bush for shelter. On ascending again ~*‘«a Muck was overcome with hill iM.. naturally both ladies were sickness, aw -'vtlitlcss, stood the fatigued, but, new. ~~’-t (jf the strain splendidly. On aecow

slight indisposition, the parly were delayed in travelling, but state that they were by no means lost. They admit they were famished before reaching Alpha. Miss Mack ba.« recovered, and the three left Grcytown to-day at noon for Otaki. They are expected between 5 and 6 this evening. Yesterday afternoon a party of five left for the hut at the Forks, but fortunately word was sent to them of the news before they left for the climb through the bush to Table Top. and they returned. Mr Bustling’s party, however, have probably gone right through, as they left the Forks at early morning. Yesterday afternoon a meeting of citizens was held at the “Mail” office, when it was decided to send out a large search party this morning, but, luckily, their services were not needed. Great satisfaction is expressed at the new? of the safety of tbe party. The long absence of new* of them naturally caasd considerable anxiety, specially seeing that the weather was so bad last Sunday and Monday. Many enquiries have been made from all quarters, and offers of help have poured ia on all sides.