SEARCH PARTY’S EXPERIENCE.

Shannon News, 6 May 1924, Page 3

SEARCH PARTY’S EXPERIENCE.

FOUR DAYS IN THE OPEN. MAiNGAHAO, May ~- The missing search parly, consisting ul Frank .Hobbs, Oluules HUI ami Arthur Greenfield arrived hack at tire Hop camp, Munga-luiio, about, noon on Tuesday alter a somewhat exciting and trying experience. The party Jett the river eaimp on Friday in searc.ii of the two mem Escott, and in the afternoon met Air LA. Johnston, head engineer, six miles down the Matiguha'O. All was well, and the mien were apparently aware of their surroundings and ultimate destination. It was their intention to pnooeled across ‘the ranges, at id, n they tailed to meet the two missing men to reach F.ketaJnma on Saturday eve n’i ng, as their food supply wont It] oulv Just until then. ' . THE WRONG TRACK.

Some time on Saturday the men discovered that they had taken me wrong track, and so Lou nil themselves 14 miles down tire river in the direction of Woodvilie. As the latter place was vet a long way off they deeded to double hack to Mangahao. cm .Saturday night they camped abiins on tlie river hed, and ate the last ol tm it food. Heavy rain set in, and the river cose with such rapidity that tliey weye camipdlled to spring for the hank, and a lew seconds later the spot where they had camped was swept by a surging torrent. . The men remained all night in the hush and commenced their return journev oh Sunday morning, l.itttc nricn"re'ss was made on account ( h be,avv rain and fog. After tramping up dav on Monday in similar weather the; party readied a point within six miles of Mangahao, hut pw’ing to (he flooded state of the river they were unable to cross t,o the camp side. Heavy rain conUnueci tlivougJiout t'a might, .and the river showed no signs of'reced'ing. A TRYING EXPERIENCE. \ s a result the men decided to make their wwv through the bush tind endeavour t, 0 come out at the man no Charters. Their efforts were rcwiird(>.d, wit on tliey eventually art" e d a* the above ca.mp a.t noon All tluee were .considerably bruised and latigued, not having had, any food tot near’dv three days. in 'speaking bo a “Times” reportei one of the party stated that laid they limit, readied the crump by Tuesday nidif t'hev could not possibly have continued' without assistance. Greenfield was in a. particularly low condition,' and a.t one period his companions were doubtful as to whether tie would fie able to make camp. Rm they stuck doggedly 1o their task, ami at last won tlxi'QUgh.