THE MOUNT EGMONT MYSTERY.

Shannon News, 20 February 1923, Page 3

THE MOUNT EGMONT MYSTERY.

THE SKELETONS DISCOVERY

In connection , with the finding of three skeletons on Mount Egmont, it appears that a party searching for the Rev. W. Murray were climbing between the 5000 and 6000 feet levels. While travelling down towards the head of a small gorge on the western face of the mountain, the attention of the party was attracted by a skull which had rolled out of a cave. Investigations were made, resulting in the finding of three skeletons huddled close together and giving the appearance of three men who had crawled into the opening to shelter from the' bitipg snow and had there died. The spot is a lonely one and well out of the beaten tracks. In fact, very few .people know that region of the mountain at all, and even if they had passed in the vicinity it is highly improbable

that the discovery Would have been"; made, as the skeletons were out of view, and but for the chance sight of one of the skulls, the party would . have passed unheeding by the spot. Though he was no expert in identify- > ing skulls, Mr Upson, one of the. party, said he was convinced that they were those of Europeans. Most of the frame and leg-bones were in- , tact, while the teeth in one skull were ; particularly good state of preservation, giving the suggestion that the tragedy took place comparatively recently. The skeletons were not touched by the party, who refrained from interference till the police had an opportunity to examine them and make a report. ,

Concerning the ' three skeletons found on Mount Egmont, Mr J. Haldane, the well known guide at the mountain, informed Mr Upson- that he had on several occasions heard a report that a good, many years ago a party of three men, believed to have been surveyors, were lost on the mountain, and that their remains were never found.' The party was supposed to have comprised four men, who left Hawera for the summit, which they gained, one man leaving his cap there as a mark. Only one man of the party returned to Hawera. Search parties/were sent out, but rio trace was found of the missing men.