SEARCH FOR HUNTERS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28263, 29 April 1957, Page 8

SEARCH FOR HUNTERS

Men Missing In Bush

(New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 28. As the search for the two missing Hamilton deerstalk-

ers, Ronald George Cornwall and William Hislop, enters its sixth day tomorrow, the two main parties will withdraw to get supplies and regroup and some members will be relieved.

Taking rations for two days more than 70 men from the Taranaki Search and Rescue Organisation, under the direction of Mr D. H. Rawson, spent yesterday searching the bush south-east of Whangamomona and Kohuratahi where traces of the two missing men were reported on Friday. To-night, as fresh supplies for 80 men were dispatched by truck from New Plymouth, all parties were recalled to advanced base which is about five miles southeast of Whangamomona. Moving in tomorrow, they will collect rations and receive fresh orders. About half a dozen members of the original search party returned to-night and fresh men were sent in. Others, including some from the Mount Egmont Alpine'Club. Hawera, have been alerted and other parties may be sent to the area tomorrow. Directed by Radio

The search is being guided by an intricate radio network which includes stations at New Plymouth, Ohura, Whangamomona, Tokirima, Wanganui and an unknown amateur at Auckland who helped restore communications between New Plymouth and operators in the field on two occasions during the week-end.

Today, small parties from the Wanganui Search and Rescue Organisation met Taranaki parties and combined to search. Tomorrow, fresh radio operators from Taumarunui will relieve some of the Wanganui men. During the week-end, searchers have had nothing to report, although they have heard shots, the Wanganui men reporting five before midday today and one afterwards. A Taranaki party investigated reports of smoke yesterday but found nothing. A wild pig was found yesterday. It had been shot and hung up from a tree. Three more dead pigs were found today. “We were optimistic about finding the men during the weekend,” Chief Inspector W. Miller, of the Wanganui police, who has been controlling the search, said to-night. “Though we have not found them, we are still hopeful.”

RUAPEHU SEARCH REVIVED

Footprints Found By Party (New Zealand Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 28. The search for the missing climber, Egon Lehner, was revived on Mount Ruapehu today when footprints, believed to be a week old, were found on the east'ern slopes. About 70 men took part in a last wide sweep over the entire snpw area on the west of the mountain today. The search would have been abandoned at 4 p.m. if nothing had been found, but shortly before that the footprints were seen. The search controller, Mr L. D.

Bridges, apd 56 of his party will return to Wellington tomorrow, but a party of about 12, including police and Chateau Tongariro staff, guided by the men who found the footprints, will go to the scene to make a further search.