STILL NO NEWS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 8

STILL NO NEWS

Whereabouts of Camper SEARCH IN TARARUAS Headquarters at Cone Hut Dominion Special Service. Masterton, January 18. No news of the missing tramper, Mr. Harold Goodman, of Greytown, who left his home on Christmas Day on a three weeks’ camping trip to the headwaters of the Waiohine river, has yet been received from any of the search parties that are out. Conditions in the Tararuas have for some weeks past been generally good. To-day, however, cloud banks obscured the view of the mountains. A heavy rain which fell in some parts and a high wind also made conditions difficult. Arrangements have been made to light a fire on the top of the Cone any day at 1.30 p.m. should Mr. Goodman be found. Should he be located after that hour, flares will be sent up from the Cone at night. Even had the missing tramper been found to-day, signals would have been futile, as the Cone has been hidden by clouds and smoke from scrub fires. Two trampers camped last night at Mt. Holdsworth, and were to proceed towards Totara Flats to-day. Three others set out from Woodside and two from Dalefield this morning. All were to converge at Totara Flats about mid-, day to-day, with the intention of following up the river to the fork if Mr. Goodman were not located. The country just above Totara Fiats is very difficult, and at one spot it is impossible to tramp up the river on account of the mountain faces having a sheer drop to the water. It is intended that the searchers should make Cone Hut their headquarters. A shortwave radio set has been taken into the ranges and this should assist very materially in the organisation of the search. Mr. Goodman took with him a rifle, a large quantity of ammunition, and sufficient concentrated food to last him about three weeks. He is a married man with a wife and family. Under a recent arrangement made between the tramping clubs whose activities extend to the Tararua range, the area at present under search is excluded from the Wairarapa Tramping Club’s district. This club will not, therefore, join in the search unless a request is received from the Tararua Club, in which event the Wairarapa Club will immediately co-ordinate with the other searchers.